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Sod-Seeding Forage Legumes in a Tall Fescue Sward¹

Introduction of forage legumes into tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) swards by sod-seeding may greatly enhance herbage production. This study was undertaken to determine the establishment and productivity of selected legumes sod-seeded in tall fescue and to assess the effectiveness of selected chemicals for the temporary suppression of grass foliage. This work was conducted in southern Illinois on a Stoy soil (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Aquic Hapludalf). Five forage legume species, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.), ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), were sod-seeded in tall fescue with the Allis-Chalmers No-Till planter and the Zip sod-seeding drill. Selected alfalfa and red clover cultivars were evaluated and the effectiveness of four chemicals at three different rates for temporary suppression of the tall fescue top growth was also assessed.

All forage legumes except crownvetch were established successfully by sod-seeding. The introduced legumes enhanced the total overall dry matter yields of the tall fescue sward by up to three times under hay production management. Alfalfa was the most productive and long-lived sod-seeded legume. Red clover and ladino clover appeared to be well suited legumes for sod-seeding for short-term stands. There were no notable differences in herbage production among alfalfa cultivars evaluated, but there were differences among red clover cultivars the 3rd year. The red clover cvs. ‘Kenstar’ and ‘Florie’ persisted for three growing seasons. Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomelhyl) glycine) and paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4, 4'-bipryidinium ion) both suppressed tall fescue topgrowth for an adequate period of time for successful legume establishment by sod-seeding. Acceptable forage legume stands were obtained with the Allis Chalmers No-Till planter and Zip seeder under proper soil moisture and plant cover conditions.

Key Words: Alfalfa • Birdsfoot trefoil • Glyphosate • Paraquat • Crownvetch • Ladino clover • Red clover • Festuca arundinacea Schreb

² Professor and associate professors, respectively, Southern Illinois Univ., Carbondale, IL 62901.

Received for publication August 8, 1980.

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