Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 6
Mixtures of Legumes with Cereals as a Source of Feed for
Animals
Mariola Staniak, Jerzy Księżak and
Jolanta Bojarszczuk
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58358
1. Introduction
Mixtures of spring cereals with legumes are considered good agricultural practice in many
European countries, especially in organic and low-input farming system [1, 2]. Cultivation of
mixtures contributes to the complementary use of habitat resources and compensatory growth
of individual plant species, causing an increased productivity and greater stability of yield [3,
4]. Moreover, the risk of lodging of legumes is significantly reduced. Mixtures limited the
negative effects of excessive share of cereals in crop rotation and they are a good forecrop for
the succeeding crops. They have a positive effect on the soil fertility, enriching it with nitrogen
through a symbiosis of legumes with nodule bacteria and in organic matter due to the huge
amount of crop residue left behind [5]. Legume-cereal mixtures are treated with lower doses
of nitrogen fertilizer in comparison with the sole cereal, which is advantageous from an
economic point of view. The increase in nitrogen dose usually leads to an increase in the yield
of cereal component, while the share of legumes seeds in the yield decreases. Mixed crops can
be cultivated on soils poorer by one valuation class than individual species cultivated as sole
crops. Yielding of mixtures and crop quality largely depends on the selection of components
and their participation. Yield of mixture seeds decrease with increasing percentage of legumes
at sowing. Cultivation of mixed crops increases protein content in the seeds of cereal compo‐
nent increases the yield of crude protein in the biomass and increases the content of this
component in the yield of the seeds mixture. Such crops are also an effective method of weed
infestation control and reduce the spread of diseases and pests, which is very important in
organic production system [6, 7, 8].
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search