Forage yield and quality on Kentucky surface mine spoils

ABSTRACT:

The suitability of several forage species for use in pasture and hay production on surface-mined land was studied in the eastern and western coal fields of Kentucky. A mixture of KY31 tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.)], and Interstate sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.) G. Don] was used as a standard for comparison. Species tested alone or in mixtures included Caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C. E. Hubb]: Kaw big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), Cheyenne Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L. Nash), Blackwell switchgrass, (Panicum virgatum L.); Chemung crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.), and Appalow (dwarf) sericea lespedeza [Lespedeza cuneata (Dum.) G. Don]. Each of these species was planted in 1976 in a randomized block design with three replications. Plots were harvested twice a year beginning in 1978 to determine yield, percent protein, dry matter digestibility (DMD), and nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC). Significant differences in percent yield and percent DMD existed among the species. There was also a significant difference in yield of the same species between the two study areas. In eastern Kentucky, a mixture of Blackwell switchgrass and Interstate sericea lespedeza, harvested twice, produced 388 pounds per acre (435 kilograms/hectare) more forage than the control mixture, In western Kentucky, all species seeded alone or in mixture produced more forage than the control mixture. Chemung crownvetch was significantly higher in protein, DMD, and yield than the two sericea lespedeza varieties.