Organic Forage Crop Production in Atlantic Zones: an Ecophysiological Approach

N. Pedrol and A. Martinez
Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario; (SERIDA) Estación Experimental ‘La Mata’. Apdo 13. 33820 Grado (Asturias), Spain.

Abstract
Within a schedule of long-term organic forage crop rotations, two mixed stands of ryegrass-clover were evaluated as following crops after winter cereal-legume mixtures under different sowing and tillage methods in Asturias (n. Spain).

Significant differences were found in productivity, sward components, chemical composition and in growth dynamics. The crop sequence perennial ryegrass-white clover established under a triticale-field bean canopy produced an additional 6 t dm/ha, compared with oat-vetch followed by Italian ryegrass-red clover under regular post-harvest sowing, thus being a promising method for improving organic forage productions with minimum tillage.

Changes in productivity and feeding values observed for both these ryegrass-clover swards alone and different growth periods were studied together with soil nutrient evolution and seasonal climatic fluctuations. Correlation analysis showed eco-physiological links among crop, soil and climate variables.

 

Source
"Organic Farming: Science and Practice for Profitable Livestock and Cropping"
Proceedings of Symposium No. 37, British Grassland Society, 2004
Association of Applied Biologist & Colloquium of Organic Researchers

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Posted October 2007