| Forage legumes, such as sainfoin, cicer milkvetch (CMV), and medic, could be considered as alternatives to alfalfa. However, establishment of these legumes is difficult. The objective of this study is to evaluate four scarification methods and utilize the best method along with a companion crop to soften hard seed, improve germination, enhance seedling establishment, and increase forage production. Scarification methods used were heat (60°C for two h), freeze-thaw (alternation of temperatures between -80°C and 22°C for three cycles), mechanical (abrasion with sandpaper for five min), and acid scarification (with sulfuric acid for five min). The field study was planted in May 2009 with four replicates. Mechanical scarification was most effective at reducing hard seed and improving germination for CMV while mechanical and acid scarification worked the best for medic. The companion crop suppressed weed and increased forage yield through the enhancement of better forage seedling establishment. |
