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The nutritive value of Echium plantagineum L. and Trifolium subterraneum L.
Author(s) -
PIGGIN C. M.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
weed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-3180
pISSN - 0043-1737
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3180.1977.tb00494.x
Subject(s) - trifolium subterraneum , pasture , forage , biology , dry matter , agronomy , grazing , fodder
Summary: Echium plantagineum is a widespread, persistent, highly productive and often dominant species in southern Australia. In pastures, it usually occurs with Trifolium subterraneum. which is commonly regarded as a valuable forage species. However, there is considerable controversy over the value of E. plantagineum as a pasture species. In this study, the nutritive value (dry matter content, in vitro digestibility, nitrogen content) of herbage of E. plantagineum and T. subterraneum generally was similar at any time during the year. It is concluded that E. plantagineum is a useful forage species because it is highly productive, is readily eaten by grazing stock and has a relatively high nutritive value.