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Oregon Annual Legume Trials -1992 Preliminary Report
Randy Dove1 1, Mylen Bohle 2, and David Hannaway 3
INTRODUCTION
Annual legumes have been used for forage production in the Klamath Basin to a
limited degree in the past. There is increasing interest in their use for forage production
and as a green manure crop. Annual legumes are often planted in mixtures with small
grains for hay and silage. Austrian winter pea is the most common annual legume
planted in the Klamath Basin. There has been little research done to compare
performance of species and varieties for this or other areas in Oregon. In view of
statewide interest in annual legumes, research was initiated at several locations in 1992.
Field trials were conducted at Powell Butte, Klamath Falls, and Corvallis (Hyslop
Farm) to evaluate the potential of annual legumes as forage and soil improvement
rotation crops. Nineteen small seeded and 19 large seeded legumes were planted in
each location. Objectives of the study were to evaluate forage yield in three Oregon
locations, and nitrogen supplying capability for following crops at two locations (Powell
Butte and Corvallis). Due to the similar environments in Klamath Falls and Powell
Butte, data from both locations are included in this report.
METHODS
Two trials were established at each location, one for small seeded and one for large
seeded legumes. A randomized complete block experiment design was used with four
replications. Plot size varied by location, but was a minimum of 100 ft 2 . A preplant
glyphosate application was made to minimize grassy weed competition at KES. Seeds of
each legume were inoculated with an appropriate Rhizobium strain. Seeds were planted
with a cone-type seeder in early June at KES and Powell Butte. Plants were harvested
when the indicator species (Austrian winter pea) was in the 50 percent bloom stage. The
harvested swath was weighed and subsamples were taken for drying and calculation of
plot dry weight, which is reported as lb DM/A.
At Powell Butte, the crop was harvested and regrowth was disked into the soil. A
wheat crop will be planted on the experimental site to evaluate residual nitrogen benefit
from the annual legumes. A single harvest of the large seeded legumes was taken at
KES. The small seeded legume trial at KES experienced a stand failure and was
abandoned.
/ Assistant Professor, Klamath Experiment Station, Klamath Falls, OR.
2 / Crook County Extension Agent, Prineville, OR.
3 / Associate Professor, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.
1
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RESULTS
Large Seeded Legumes
Maple pea was the highest yielding entry in the large seeded trial at KES. It
produced significantly more forage than Austian winter pea, the most commonly planted
annual legume in the area (Table 1). Sirius field pea produced yields equivalent to
Maple pea, but it was not significantly higher than Austrian winter pea. Species adapted
to cool environments, such as peas, vetches, and flatpeas, performed best at KES, while
warm-season legumes such as cowpea and pinto bean showed visible signs of chilling
injury. Faba beans were an intermediate group and may do well in the Klamath Basin if
planted earlier.
In the large seeded trial at Powell Butte, Miranda yellow field pea and Sirius field
pea were the highest yielding entries (Table 2). Maple pea and two faba beans were
also in the top yielding group. Yields of all large seeded legumes except Miranda yellow
field pea were higher at KES than at Powell Butte. The average yield for all entries was
about 30 percent higher at KES. The relative ranking of legume species was similar at
both locations. This is not unexpected in view of climatic conditions.
Small Seeded Legumes
The small seeded legume trial at KES did not establish well and data were not
collected. However, one entry, Sava snail medic, established and grew well while the
other entries failed to thrive. Sava snail medic was also the highest yielding entry at
Powell Butte (Table 3). Three other medics and two lentils were in the top yielding
group. These trials will be repeated in 1993.
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Table 1. 1992 yield (lb DM/A) and statistical ranking of large seeded
annual legumes planted at Klamath Falls, OR.
Entry
1
Yield
lb DM/A
Rankl.
Maple Pea
Sirius Field Pea
Austrian Winter Pea
Trapper Pea
6600
5560
5080
4800
A
AB
BC
BCD
Chickling Vetch
Ackerperle Faba Bean
Tingata Tangier Flatpea
Miranda Yellow Field Pea
4580
4460
4380
4020
BCDE
BCDEF
BCDEF
CDEFG
Hertz Freya Faba Bean
Hairy Vetch
UI 114 Pinto Bean
Timeless Aladin Faba Bean
4020
3860
3720
3660
CDEFG
CDEFGH
DEFGHI
DEFGHI
Sacramento Lt Red Kidney Bean
Dianna Faba Bean
Cahaba White Vetch
Green Mung Bean
3380
3210
3020
2970
EFGHI
FGHIJ
GHIJ
GHIJ
Mississippi Cream Cowpea
Victor Cowpea
Mississippi Pinkeye Cowpea
2690
2440
1930
HIJ
IJ
J
Mean
3910
/ Entries followed by the same letter are not significantly different
(P >0.05).
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Table 2. 1992 yield (lb DM/A) and statistical ranking of large seeded
annual legumes planted at Powell Butte, OR.
Entry
Yield
Rank'
lb DM/A
Miranda Yellow Field Pea
Sirius Field Pea
Maple Pea
Timeless Aladin Faba Bean
4150
4150
4130
4040
A
A
AB
AB
Dianna Faba Bean
Hertz Freya Faba Bean
Trapper Pea
Austrian Winter Pea
3690
3600
3420
3290
ABC
BC
C
C
Ackerperle Faba Bean
Tingata Tangier Flatpea
Chickling Vetch
Cahaba White Vetch
3230
2690
2650
2130
Hairy Vetch
UI 114 Pinto Bean
Sacramento Lt Red Kidney Bean Victor Cowpea
1920
1770
1440
1440
FG
FG
GH
GH
Mississippi Cream Cowpea
Mississippi Pinkeye Cowpea
Green Mung Bean
1170
1150
1080
H
H
H
Mean
2690
1
C
D
DE
EF
/ Entries followed by the same letter are not significantly different
(P> 0.05).
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Table 3. 1992 yield (lb DM/A) and statistical ranking of small seeded
annual legumes planted at Powell Butte, OR.
Entry
Yield
Rank1
lb DM/A
Sava Snail Medic
Paraggio Barrel Medic
Timeless T-2000 Green Lentil
Santiago Polymorpha Medic
3380
3100
2900
2830
A
AB
ABC
ABC
Ascot Barrel Medic
Indianhead Lentil
Selection 1 Berseem Clover
Boning Barrel Medic
2770
2670
2600
2600
ABCD
ABCD
BCD
BCD
Multicut Berseem Clover
Maral Shaftal Clover
Parabinga Barrel Medic
Bigbee Berseem Clover
2500
2440
2350
2100
BCDE
BCDEF
CDEF
DEFG
Jemalong Barrel Medic
M.O.A. Alfalfa
Nitro Alfalfa
George Black Medic
2100
1830
1750
1500
DEFG
EFGH
FGHI
GHI
MTBM-5 Black Medic (Dr. B) Mt. Baker Subterranean Clover
Youchi Arrowleaf Clover
1330
1310
1080
HI
HI
I
Mean
2690
1
/ Entries followed by the same letter are not significantly different
(P>0.05).