Abstract

A field trial was established in Svalöv, Sweden in June 2007. The experimental layout consisted of 48 communities following a simplex design, and the species used were timothy (Phleum pratense L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and a deep-rooted forb: either chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.). No harvest was taken in 2007, and no herbicide was applied. The plots were harvested regularly in 2008 and 2009. Emerging unsown species identity was identified in each plot four times each harvest year. They were classified into grasses, legumes, annual+biennial forbs and perennial forbs. At the end of the trial, a total of 54 unsown species had been recorded. Fewer unsown species emerged in mixtures of the species sown than in the pure stands of the species. However, pure stands of perennial ryegrass contained significantly fewer unsown species than the other pure stands.

Keywords

colonisation; diversity; forbs; grasses; legumes; unsown species

Published in

Grassland Science in Europe
2010, volume: 15, pages: 794-796
Book title: Grassland in a changing world. Proceedings of the 23rd General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation
ISBN: 978-3-86944-021-7
Publisher: Universität Göttingen.

Conference

23rd EGF General Meeting on “Grassland in a Changing World”

Authors' information