Drought Effects on Perennial Forage Legume Yield and Quality

Drought frequently limits alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) herbage productivity during mid-summer in the North Central USA, but the productivity of other legumes during drought is unknown. We determined the effect of drought on the herbage yield and quality and stand persistence of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and alfalfa. Legumes were establisbed on a sandy, mixed, Udorthentic Haploborolls and subjected to two soil water regimes promoting «droughted» and «well-watered» (control) plant growth (...)