Integration of Forage Fenugreek into the Northeast Cropping System

Integration of Forage Fenugreek into the Northeast Cropping System

Summary

A movement towards larger dairy farms in the Northeast has led to widespread adoption of monoculture silage corn production. Corn silage is not only excellent forage for dairy cattle but it also produces large amounts of dry matter per acre. However, any crop grown in monoculture can have negative impacts on the environment. Since there are so few annual forage crops that can be grown in the Northeast the introduction of alternative high yield and quality annual forage crops would lead to more extended rotations. A plausible alternative forage crop for the Northeast is fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). Fenugreek is an annual legume that is similar in quality to alfalfa. It is only cut once during the growing season and can be harvested for hay or silage. Fenugreek does not loose quality as it matures and therefore has a longer harvest window than corn silage or alfalfa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of forage fenugreek in Vermont. Five forage fenugreek varieties (Amber, F80, L3314, F70, and F86) were planted and they all grew rapidly during the first 8 weeks after planting. Nine weeks after planting, a bacterial leaf spot was observed on all fenugreek varieties. The fenugreek was harvested at 11 weeks after planting because of the severe infestation of leaf spot. At this time dry matter yield and quality (crude protein, in vitro digestibility, neutral and acid detergent fiber) were determined. The highest dry matter yields were obtained from Amber and F-80 varieties of fenugreek. There were no significant quality differences, with the exception of IVTD, between varieties. Leaf necrosis associated with the leaf spot may have caused sub optimal yields and quality. This project will be repeated in 2005 with the expectation of evaluating fenugreek under more normal weather conditions.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objective of this project is to develop an economically, agronomic and environmentally sound management system for forage fenugreek as a feasible rotation with corn silage in the Northeast. More specifically, this particular study will evaluate the yield and quality of available forage fenugreek varieties.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The variety trial was conducted in cooperation with Borderview farm during 2004 in Alburg, VT. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. The treatments included five fenugreek varieties. Fenugreek seed was obtained from Surya Acharya at the Agriculture Food Canada Research Center in Lethbridge, Alberta. Plot size was 3.04 x 6.08 m. Fenugreek was seeded on May 17th at a rate of 17 kg ha-1 and to a depth of 2.50 cm. During the growing season, insect and disease problems were recorded. Disease severity and insect damage was evaluated on a 1 to 9 scale (where 1 = greatest severity and 9 = least severity). Fenugreek was harvested 11 weeks after planting. At harvest time, the entire plot was mowed. The forage was raked onto a canvas tarp and weighed to determine yield. Approximately 1-kg of the fresh forage was subsampled and used to determine moisture and quality. Ground samples were analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), and crude protein (CP). A 0.5 g sample will be used for sequential detergent analysis to determine NDF and ADF by use of the ANKOM200 fiber analyzer (Kamarek et al., 1996). Duplicate samples were used to determine IVTD by a modification of the method of Goering and Van Soest (1970). The 30-h fermentation was performed in an ANKOM Daisy II Incubator. A LECO FP 528 nitrogen analyzer was used to determine CP. Mixed model analysis was calculated using the mixed procedure of SAS (SAS Institute, 1999). Mean separation among varieties were obtained using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) procedure when significant F-tests (P<0.05) were observed.

Results

Growth and Development

Fenugreek germinated well and grew rapidly during the first 8 weeks after planting. Nine weeks after planting, a bacterial leaf spot (still being identified) was observed on all fenugreek varieties. The severity of leaf spot spread rapidly and in two weeks the plants were beginning to show signs of severe leaf necrosis. Disease severity was recorded at the time of harvest. The fenugreek was harvested at 11 weeks after planting because of the severe infestation of leaf spot. The level of disease severity was significantly different among varieties. Amber and F-80 appeared to have some tolerance to the leaf spot. Since these varieties were bred under arid conditions they have little resistance to diseases common to temperate climates. The 2004 growing season was the third wettest on record likely creating conditions conducive for disease. In 2005, we will focus on selecting seed from tolerant individuals.

Dry Matter Yield

The highest dry matter yields were obtained from Amber and F-80 varieties of fenugreek. Overall yields were similar to those reported by Acharya and Mir(2002). However, due to the severe infestation of leaf spot fenugreek was harvested earlier than the recommended time of 15 to 17 weeks after planting. We propose that higher yields could have been obtained if the forage was harvested at the recommended time. In 2005 we will try to extend the growth period and harvest at fifteen weeks.

Forage quality

There were no significant quality differences, with the exception of IVTD, between varieties. NDF and ADF concentrations were higher and CP concentrations lower than those reported by Acharya and Mir (2002). Acharya and Mir (2002) reported NDF concentrations from 290 to 390 g kg-1, ADF concentrations from 250 to 340 g kg-1, and CP concentrations from 250 to 160 g kg-1. Leaf necrosis associated with the leaf spot may have caused an increase in the proportion of fiber compared to nonstructural carbohydrates found in the leaves. There were significant IVTD differences between varieties. Digestibility was significantly lower for F-80 compared to the other varieties. Mir et al. (1997) reported similar IVTD levels for forage fenugreek.

This study will be repeated in 2005. We hope that a more normal weather year will result in less disease. However, we will alter production techniques if diesease remains an issue. We feel that the quality and yield of this forage warrants further investigation of the potential for its integration into current cropping systems.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Outreach efforts have included a newsletter article, one presentation to farmers, and one presentation to agricultural professionals. As a result of the article and presentations there have been 15 phone and email requests for more information. Unfortunately the seed has not been released commercially so farmers have not been able to adopt this crop. An on-farm field day was scheduled for August but was cancelled due to crop disease. We plan to host a workshop next season as well as publish more articles related to the project.

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