Micronutrient Content of Aboveground Biomass as Influenced by Different Proportions of Medicago media Pers. in Two-Component Alfalfa–Grass Mixtures

Summary

This three-year field experiment in Poland evaluated how hybrid alfalfa (Medicago media) proportions in two-component mixtures with orchard grass or festulolium affected micronutrient concentrations in forage biomass. Alfalfa rapidly became the dominant sward component regardless of initial sowing proportion, with grass species showing differential competitive pressure. Mixture composition influenced micronutrient profiles, with alfalfa–grass combinations showing higher copper but lower manganese than grass monocultures, and specific mixture ratios optimising zinc and iron content.

UK applicability

The findings may be relevant to UK grassland management systems where alfalfa–grass mixtures are used for livestock feed, though the study was conducted in Polish agroecological conditions. UK practitioners should consider whether local grass species' competitive dynamics and soil micronutrient status align with the observed Polish patterns before applying these recommendations to sward composition decisions.

Key measures

Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) content of aboveground biomass (dry matter basis) in pure grass monocultures and alfalfa–grass mixtures at 30%, 50%, and 70% alfalfa seed proportions

Outcomes reported

The study measured micronutrient concentrations (copper, zinc, manganese, iron) in aboveground biomass of pure-sown grasses and two-component alfalfa–grass mixtures across different seed proportion ratios. It assessed how species composition and competitive dynamics influenced micronutrient accumulation in forage over a three-year period.

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