Lecture 6 - Sainfoin, Cicer Milkvetch

Question 1

sainfoin scientific name

Answer 1

Onobrychis viciaefolia

Question 2

characteristics of sainfoin

Answer 2

upright, medium height species
pink flowered
hollowed stem
compound leaves

Question 3

does sainfoin cause bloat in cattle

Answer 3

no, because they contain high condensed tannin that reduce methane emission by cattle

Question 4

does sainfoin have smaller or larger seeds than alfalfa

Answer 4

larger seeds

Question 5

limitations of sainfoin

Answer 5

high seeding rate
expensive seed
short stand longevity

Question 6

seeding rate of sainfoin

Answer 6

30lbs/ac
15lbs/ac
7.5lbs/ac

Question 7

sainfoin matures ________ earlier than alfalfa

Answer 7

2 weeks

Question 8

is sainfoin easy to establish

Answer 8

yes, as it has high seed germination and low % of hard seed

Question 9

t/f: sainfoin has weaker seedling growth than alfalfa

Answer 9

t

Question 10

can sainfoin tolerate drought and how does it compare to alfalfa

Answer 10

relatively drought tolerant but not as productive as alfalfa under drought conditions

Question 11

sainfoin exhibits poor growth under ______ soils and ______ soil drainage

Answer 11

acid, poor

Question 12

is sainfoin more or less winter hardy than alfalfa

Answer 12

less

Question 13

sainfoin is resistant to ______________ (insect)

Answer 13

alfalfa weevil

Question 14

what are some benefits of sainfoin in regards to pasture production

Answer 14

non bloating (condensed tannins)
palatable due to hollow stem
grows well with grasses

Question 15

sainfoin is _______ grazing tolerant

Answer 15

not highly

Question 16

what is the benefit of mixing sainfoin with alfalfa

Answer 16

it will reduce pasture bloat (but not eliminate it)

Question 17

when does sainfoin produce the most yield when cut for hay

Answer 17

most yield produced in cut 1 (frequent cutting reduces stand longevity)

Question 18

when do you cut early maturing sainfoin for hay

Answer 18

at late bloom

Question 19

benefits of the bee-pasture (sainfoin) concept

Answer 19

-food for soil microbes
-attract pollinators
-plant diversity
-N fixation
-alter soil structure

Question 20

cicer milkvetch scientific name

Answer 20

Astragalus cicer

Question 21

characteristics of cicer milkvetch

Answer 21

-pale yellow flowers
-compound leaf
-hollow stem
-creeping by rhizomes
-prostrate

Question 22

cicer milkvetch is a __________ perennial

Answer 22

long-lived

Question 23

how does the seed of cicer milkvetch potentially reduce stand establishment

Answer 23

there is a high % of hard seeds, so they require scarification to germinate

Question 24

what should I know about alfalfa if I want to seed in my farm

Answer 24

-causes pasture bloat
-should mix with grasses
-want to fertilize with P and K
-need to give it a 5-7wk rest period
- should control perennial weeds before seeding

Question 25

why is use of cicer milkvetch limited

Answer 25

it has slow seedling establishment (especially in grass mixes) due to low seedling vigor

Question 26

why is cicer milkvetch not recommended for cover crop and how can you make it work

Answer 26

grasses in the mix will outcompete if you want to do it, seed grasses and cicer milkvetch in alternate rows

Question 27

cicer milkvetch needs ________ time for good establishment

Answer 27

adequate

Question 28

most to least drought tolerant of cicer milkvetch, alfalfa, and sainfoin

Answer 28

alfalfa, sainfoin, and cicer milkvetch

Question 29

what soil zones the most recommended for growing cicer milkvetch

Answer 29

black and dark brown soil zones in Canada

Question 30

what is the main use of cicer milkvetch

Answer 30

pasture/grazing it is not good for haying as it is difficult to dry

Question 31

why is cicer milkvetch non bloating

Answer 31

the reticulate vein pattern in the leaf slows down digestion in the rumen

Question 32

cicer milkvetch retains its leaves _____ in the late season than alfalfa making it _______ for late season grazing

Answer 32

longer, ideal

Question 33

what pest is cicer milkvetch more tolerant to than alfalfa

Answer 33

pocket gophers (moles)