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Forage Yield and Quality of Quaker Comfrey, Alfalfa, and Orchardgrass¹

Quaker comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum Nym.) has been promoted for years as a high-yielding proteinrich forage crop. Although considerable research has been done in other countries, almost none has been reported from the United States. Therefore, we established field trials on a Codorus silt loam (Fluvaquentic Dystrochrept) at Beltsville, Maryland and on an Archerson sandy clay loam (Aridic Argiustoll) at Cheyenne, Wyoming. At Beltsvill, three cultivars of comfrey under two cutting schedules were compared to orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) at three N rates, and to three cultivars of alfalfa ( Medicago saliva L.) alone and in mixture with orchardgrass. At Cheyenne, two cultivars of comfrey at three N rates were compared with alfalfa. Forage dry matter yield was determined at both locations; protein concentration and in vitro dry matter digestibility were determined at Beltsville, and vitamin B₁₂ concentration was determined at Cheyenne. Comfrey yields at both locations were about half those of alfalfa or orchardgrass at the same N rate. Closer spacing of comfrey probably would have increased yield. Protein concentration of comfrey was less than that of alfalfa or orchardgrass except at very high N rates. In vitro dry matter digestibilities of comfrey, alfalfa, and orchardgrass were 37, 62, and 61%, respectively. Contrary to some reports, comfrey forage did not contain detectable amounts of vitamin B₁₂. Moisture content of fresh comfrey averaged 85% and was consistently higher than that of alfalfa or orchardgrass. In view of its low yield and digestibility in these tests, high cost of establishment and weed control, and low palatability to some animal species, Quaker comfrey is not recommended as a forage crop.

Key Words: Symphytum spp. • Crude protein • In vitro digestibility • Vitamin B₁₂ • Review

² Research agronomist, USDA, SEA-AR-HPGRS, 8408 Hildreth Road, Cheyenne, WY 82001; agricultural research technician, USDA, SEA-AR, L&PGL, Beltsville, MD 20705; and research agronomists, USDA, SEA-AR, FCL, Beltsville, MD 20705, respectively.

Received for publication September 29, 1980.