EVALUATION OF BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL, A NON-BLOATING FORAGE LEGUME, IN WYOMING

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1006213
• Project No.: WYO-557-15
• Project Start Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2017

Project Director
Islam, M..

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE DEPARTMENT 3434
LARAMIE,WY 82071-2000

Performing Department
Plant Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) has been increasingly popular in the United States, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North Africa, and many other countries worldwide because of its non-bloating property. This project will evaluate birdsfoot trefoil growth potential in Wyoming and develop best practice recommendations.Birdsfoot trefoil will be planted in replicated trial plots at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle under irrigated conditions. The treatments will include: three available and promising cultivars of birdsfoot trefoil, three planting methods (only birdsfoot trefoil; birdsfoot trefoil planted with a companion crop; and birdsfoot trefoil planted in stubbles), and three harvesting times (one harvest; two harvests; and three harvests). The study will also be planted at one producer's field at Torrington with three available cultivars and three planting methods. The study will be conducted for three years. Data on emergence, growth, forage production, forage quality, stand persistence, and management will be collected and analyzed and a summary of the results will be disseminated to producers and agricultural professionals. It is anticipated that the project will generate useful information on establishment, production, and management of birdsfoot trefoil so as to benefit and provide additional income to producers in Wyoming and perhaps, neighboring states.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

40%

Applied

40%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
205	2499	1060	50%
205	1649	1060	50%

Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
1649 - Forage legumes, general/other; 2499 - Plant research, general;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

birdsfoot trefoil

non-bloating

forage legume

Goals / Objectives
Major goal:Evaluate birdsfoot trefoil to fill the knowledge gap for Wyoming on this important forage legume crop.Specific objectives: 1. Determine if the crop can be grown to its full potential in Wyoming environments.2. Develop best establishment, management, and production practices for producers.

Project Methods
The project will investigate birdsfoot trefoil forage crops in Wyoming environments. The proposed project includes two systematic studies to fulfill the objectives. The first study will be at the James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center (SAREC) near Lingle, Wyoming. Birdsfoot trefoil will be planted in replicated plots (individual plot size 5' × 20') at SAREC under irrigated conditions using a research grade cone-planter. Before planting, replicated representative soil samples (0-6 inches depth) will be collected for soil property determination and fertilizer recommendations. The treatments for this study will include: three available and promising cultivars of birdsfoot trefoil, three planting methods (only birdsfoot trefoil; birdsfoot trefoil planted with a companion crop; and birdsfoot trefoil planted in stubbles), and three harvesting times (one harvest; two harvests; and three harvests per year). The study will be planted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Therefore, the total number of plots will be: 3 cultivars × 3 planting methods × 3 three harvesting times × 3 replications = 81.The second study will be planted at a producer's field at Torrington (Scott Dairy Farm, Torrington, Wyoming). There is always a concern that results obtained at research stations may not be suitable for producers' actual field conditions and different agroecological environments. This producers' field study will answer this concern and validate results under different climatic and soil conditions. Soil sampling and planting will be done following the same procedures described in the first study.Both studies will be conducted for three years. Management, field monitoring, and data collection will be the same for both studies. Data will include emergence, growth, forage production, forage quality, stand persistence, and management (e.g., fertility, nitrogen fixation, weed control, insects and disease control, etc.). Forage will be harvested using a research grade forage harvester. Forage quality will be determined from sub-samples of the harvested forages using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and wet chemistry analyses. Data collected each year will be compiled and analyzed using standard statistical procedures (e.g., Analysis of Variance by SAS, Regression analysis). Finally, summary of the results will be made available for dissemination.

Progress 04/01/15 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:Producers, scientists, and students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities to train a graduate student to learn about birdsfoot trefoil and develop management options. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the Field Days and Demonstrations, summarized results were delivered to producers/growers who were interested in learning to grow new legumes such as birdsfoot trefoil in their production systems. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1.Birdsfoot trefoilwassuccessfully grown at two locations in Wyoming - Lingle and Torrington. The results of the study indicatedthat the crop has greatpotential to be grown in Wyoming's environments. 2.Focus was to not only successfully establish the crop but also to develop best management practices for sustainable production of birdsfoot trefoil. Studies were conducted at Lingle and Torrington with different planting methods and harvesting regimes and information was gathered, compiled, and communicated to producers through field days, presentations, and publications.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2017. On-farm performance of birds-foot trefoil cultivars. 2017 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 146-147. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2017-field-days-bulletin.pdf.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2017. Effect of planting method, harvesting frequency, and cultivars on yield of birds-foot trefoil. 2017 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 104-105. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2017-field-days-bulletin.pdf.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2016. Response of birds-foot trefoil cultivars to producers field. 2016 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 169-170. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2016-field-days-bulletin.pdf.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2016. Birds-foot trefoil response to planting method and harvesting frequency. 2016 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 113-114. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2016-field-days-bulletin.pdf
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2016. Birdsfoot Trefoil Response to Planting Method and Harvesting Frequency. Field Day, James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center, August 25, 2016. Lingle, WY
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Islam, M.A. 2017. Establishment of birdsfoot trefoil  a non-bloating forage legume. Wyoming Livestock Roundup, the Weekly News Source for Wyomings Ranchers, Farmers, and Agribusiness Community, June 24, 2017
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Islam, M.A. 2015. Birdsfoot trefoil seems to be a promising forage crop for Wyoming producers. Wyoming Livestock Roundup, the Weekly News Source for Wyomings Ranchers, Farmers, and Agribusiness Community, Vol. 26, No. 86, December 26, 2015.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Islam, M.A. 2017. Evaluation of birdsfoot trefoil: Planting method, harvesting frequency, and cultivar. W2012 - Enhancing management, production, and sustainability of grazing ruminants in extensive landscapes Meetings, August 7-10, 2017. Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Oregon State University, Burns, OR.
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Sarkar, S. 2017. Effects of planting method, harvesting frequency, and cultivar on growth, yield, and nutritive value of birdsfoot trefoil, M.S. Thesis, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Wyoming, May 2017.

Progress 10/01/15 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Producers, scientists, and students. Changes/Problems:The study was affected by a hailstorm during 2016 growing season. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided an opportunity to train a graduate student.The student has learned about birdsfoot trefoil and developed management options. Also, through this project, preliminary information was communicated to producers during Field Days and Demonstration. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the Field Days and Demonstration, first year's results were delivered to producers/growers who are interested to learn and grown new legumes such as birdsfoot trefoil. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Data on growth and management of birdsfoot trefoilis being collected from two locations, and analyzed and compiled. Data will be disseminated to producers/growers and published in AES bulletins and also as journal articles.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1) Birdsfoot trefoil was successfully established and grown at two locations in Wyoming - Lingle and Torrington. The crop showspotential to be grown in Wyoming's environments. 2) The study focuses on not only successfully establishing the crop but also developing the best management practices for sustainable production. Studies are beingconducted in Lingle and Torrington with different planting methods and harvesting regimes.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2016. Response of birds-foot trefoil cultivars to producers field. 2016 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 169-170. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2016-field-days-bulletin.pdf.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Sarkar, S. and Islam, M.A. 2016. Birds-foot trefoil response to planting method and harvesting frequency. 2016 Field Days Bulletin, University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station, pp. 113-114. Available at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwexpstn/_files/docs/2016-field-days-bulletin.pdf.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Islam, M.A. 2015. Birdsfoot trefoil seems to be a promising forage crop for Wyoming producers. Wyoming Livestock Roundup, the Weekly News Source for Wyomings Ranchers, Farmers, and Agribusiness Community, Vol. 26, No. 86, December 26, 2015.

Progress 04/01/15 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Producers, scientists, and students. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided opportunities to train a graduate student to learn about birdsfoot trefoil and develop management options. Also, through this project, preliminary information was conveyed to producers during Field Days and Demonstration. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the Field Days and Demonstration, preliminary results were delivered to producers/growers who are interested to learn about growing new legumes such as birdsfoot trefoil. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To accomplish the goals, the study will be continued at two locations and data will be collected on growth and management of birdsfoot trefoil. Data will also be disseminated to producers/growers and published in AES bulletins and also as journal articles.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The major goal of the project is to evaluate birdsfoot trefoil to fill the knowledge gap for Wyoming on this important forage legume crop.An extensive review is being conducted and information on birdsfoot trefoil is being collected. A graduate student is working on the project and collecting information related to birdsfoot trefoil including available or not available information, especially in Wyoming growing conditions. Accomplishmentsunder specific objectives: 1. Determine if the crop can be grown to its full potential in Wyoming environments.Birdsfoot trefoil has been successfully grown at two locations in Wyoming - Lingle and Torrington. This indicates that the crop has potential to growin Wyoming environments. 2. Develop best establishment, management, and production practices for producers.Focus has been given not only to successfully establish the crop but also to develop best management practices for sustainable production. Studies has been conducted in Lingle and Torrington with different planting methods and harvesting regimes.

Publications