Effects of Forage Legumes Sowing in the Fallow Year on Silage Yield and Quality Characteristics of Subsequent Cereals

Abstract

In this study, the effect of P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture and V. pannonica grown in the fallow year on silage yield and quality of subsequent cereals were investigated in the arid condition of Eskişehir, Turkey. The fresh weight of P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture with 2750 kg/da was found two-fold high than V. pannonica. P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture significantly increased the fresh and dry hay weights of cereals except for H. vulgare cv. İnce. In addition, the highest grain yield was obtained by growing Triticosecale cv. Karma in P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture plots. Due to the high pH and low dry matter content of triticale samples, the Fleig scores were very low, which is a quality indicator in silage. ADF and NDF ratios were the highest in A. sativa cv. Checato as a negative quality factor. Top-dressing of nitrogen had a positive effect on the crude protein ratio. It was concluded that production of quality roughage can be sustainably increased by growing P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture in barren areas in the fallow year and followed by sowed cvs. Karma, Müfitbey, and Checato in the cereal growing season.