Illinois bundleflower: a perennial multiple purpose third crop for Iowa

Illinois bundleflower: a perennial multiple purpose third crop for Iowa

Summary

Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis), a perennial legume native to the US, has the potential to become a forage and grain crop and therefore diversify and perennialize cropping systems in the North Central US. In chemical-free experimental plots monocultures of Illinois bundleflower produced 958 kg/ha of forage with 17 % protein, averaged over two years, and 140 kg/ha of seed in 2004 and 550 kg/ha in 2005 with 41 % of protein. Mixtures with cool or warm season grasses produced more total forage, and in some cases reduced weed invasion, but did not increase seed production.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The primary objective of this project is to assess the feasibility of growing Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis) as a third crop in Iowa. The project contributes to the long-term sustainability of the North Central US agriculture by combining research, education and extension activities towards the diversification and “perennialization” of local landscapes. The target population includes Iowa farmers, students, and the broad scientific community.

The project has three short-term outcomes:
1) scientific evidence of the feasibility of introducing a native legume species into a diverse perennial cropping system in Iowa;

2) specific information on the management of Illinois bundleflower as forage and/or grain crop in monoculture and in mixtures with cool and warm season grasses; and

3) increased awareness from local farmers of benefits of perennial third crops.

Results will lead to the intermediate-term outcomes of increasing the number of Iowa farmers diversifying their system with perennial third crops and increased scientific research on diverse perennial cropping systems in the North Central US. This project integrates research and extension to local farmers, which assures that the producer community will evaluate results; farmers’ feedback will be incorporated for future directions.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Outcome 1 accomplishments (scientific evidence of the feasibility of growing Illinois bundleflower in Iowa):
In all experimental plots (monocultures and polycultures) Illinois bundleflower was established, produced forage and seed, and re-grew the following year. In chemical-free experimental plots (without fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides) monocultures of Illinois bundleflower produced 958 kg/ha of forage with 17 % protein, under three forage cuts per year, averaged over two years. Seed production in plots harvested once per year was 140 kg/ha in 2004 and 550 kg/ha in 2005 with 41 % of protein.

Outcome 2 accomplishments (management of Illinois bundleflower as forage and/or grain crop in monoculture and in mixtures with cool and warm season grasses):
The main challenge for Illinois bundleflower production in chemical-free systems is competition with weeds, because this warm season legume starts growing late in the season (May) and does not provide good ground cover. Polycultures (mixtures) with cool season grasses (orchardgrass and intermediate wheatgrass) reduced weed invasion but also I. bundleflower performance; mixtures with warm season grasses (switchgrass and eastern gamagrass) did not affect either weed invasion or I. bundleflower performance, because they were slow growing and took longer to establish.

Outcome 3 accomplishments (awareness from local farmers of benefits of perennial third crops): will be accomplished in the next year.

Forage production of Illinois bundleflower (IBF) in monoculture and mixtures with cool season grasses (IWG=intermediate wheatgrass, OGR=orchardgrass) compared to alfalfa (ALF) in monoculture and mixtures in experimental small plots (2 x 3 m) under three harvests management system (June, August, and October) averaged over 2 years in central Iowa.

Percent protein and percent ND fiber of Illinois bundleflower (IBF) in monoculture and mixtures with cool season grasses (IWG=intermediate wheatgrass, OGR=orchardgrass) compared to alfalfa (ALF) in monoculture and mixtures in experimental small plots (2 x 3 m) under three harvests management system (June, August, and October) averaged over 2 years in central Iowa.

Weed biomass in plots with Illinois bundleflower (IBF) in monoculture and mixtures with cool season grasses (IWG=intermediate wheatgrass, OGR=orchardgrass) compared to alfalfa (ALF) in monoculture and mixtures in experimental small plots (2 x 3 m) under three harvests management system (June, August, and October) averaged over 2 years in central Iowa.

Tables of research results are available for this project in printed form. Email ncrsare@umn.edu for those tables.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

This research provided basic information about the feasibility of growing Illinois bundleflower in Iowa, as well as information on management practices and compatibility with grasses. Future research is needed in order for this species to be adopted in farmers systems yet.

Collaborators: