Evaluation of the forage legumes sulla and persian clover in the Arta region

In winter and early spring in Mediterranean areas, the winter forage crops are characterised by low growth rates and small yields which result in limited feed to the ruminants. The aim of the present study was to compare the dry matter production and leaf:stem weight ratio of the two forage legumes, Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) in winter, under three different sowing times. During February-July there were two and four harvests for Sulla and Persian clover respectively. In general, the late-sown plants for the two forage crops had lower dry matter production and LSWR compared to the early-sown ones. For all sowing times the early harvests had higher forage yields than the late ones.