International Journal of Waste Resources

Abstract

Changes in Some Parameters in Mixtures of Sainfoin with Subterranean Clover

Viliana Vasileva and Anna Ilieva

Changes in some morphological and physiological parameters (leaves/stems ratio, total plastid pigments content, amount of fixed nitrogen) of sainfoin (Onobrychis Adans.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum ssp.), pure grown and in mixtures in ratio 50:50% were studied in filed experiment in the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven (2011-2015). Local population of sainfoin and three subspecies of subterranean clover, i.e. Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachycalicinum (cv. Antas), Trifolium subterraneum spp. yanninicum (cv. Trikkala) and Trifolium subterraneum spp. subterraneum (cv. Denmark) were used. Leaves/stems ratio of sainfoin in pure stands was 0.35 and it was found be enhanced in mixtures with Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachycalicinum (0.39) by 12.8%, and with Trifolium subterraneum spp. yanninicum (0.38) by 9.5%. Total plastid pigments in mixtures increased by 8.3% for Trifolium subterraneum spp. yanninicum spp. brachycalicinum and Trifolium subterraneum spp. yanninicum, and by 9.8% for Trifolium subterraneum spp. subterraneum, and decreased in sainfoin by 17.2% for mixture with Trifolium subterraneum spp. yanninicum. There were from 2.20 kg N/da (sainfoin + Trifolium subterraneum spp. subterraneum) to 2.88 kg N/da (sainfoin + Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachycalicinum) more fixed nitrogen in comparison to the amount fixed from pure grown sainfoin. Sainfoin and subterranean clover in mixtures showed good mutual tolerance, morphological and physiological status.