Crownvetch for Highway Bank Stabilization in the Piedmont Uplands of Georgia 1

Field observations and greenhouse studies indicated that crownvetch, Coronilla varia L., required good to excellent drainage, a pH of 6.5 to 7.0, and high levels of P, K, Ca, and Mg for rapid seedling growth and stand persistence. Crownvetch compared favorably with ‘Mansheld’ birdsfoot trefoil in rate of seedling growth. While minor cultivar differences in relative top and root growth were noted, ‘Chemun’, ‘Emerald,’ and ‘Penngih’ crownvetch all produced dense vegetative canopies 2 to 3 months after seeding. On 42 highway slopes successfully seeded to crownvetch in 27 Pennsylvania counties, areas of poor or zero crownvetch cover on upper and lower portions of the slope were more closely associated with limiting physical conditions, poor drainage, or extreme desiccation, than with inadequate fertility or low pH.

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Soil pH, Drainage, and Fertility on Growth, Survival, and Element Content of Crownvetch, Coronilla varia L.¹

McKee¹,

Langille²

1967

“…T HE facility with which crown vetch ( Coronilla varia L. ) seedings have stabilized road banks in Pennsylvania (Musser, HoHenstein, and Standford, 1954) has drawn the attention of agronomists to this species, and this use has been extended successfully at least into the Piedmont of Georgia (Richardson, Diseker, and Henderson, 1963). Observations of the growing plant itself, together with recent published reports of its culture (Henson, 1963;Musser et al 1954;Richardson et al 1963) suggest that crownvetch has many characteristics desirable in a forage legume, among them the production of considerable herbage and the capacity to grow well under poor soil conditions.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumption and Digestibility of Crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) Forage by Sheep¹

Reynolds¹,

Jackson²,

Lindahl³

et al. 1967

Three experiments are reported in which crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) forage was fed to sheep for periods up to 40 days. Crownvetch soilage cut in the early bloom stage was consumed as readily as regrowth ladino doverorchardgrass soilage. Ground, pelleted crownvetch cut in July in the seed stage was poorly digested. Gross energy digestibility and voluntary consumption of chopped, frozen crownvetch cut in early bloom were similar to published values for dehydrated, early bloom alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and red clover. According to the literature, crownvetch forage may be unpalatable or even toxic, but neither of these properties was observed in the experiments reported. Crownvetch as a forage may compare well with other biennial and perennial legumes. More extensive experiments, in which the yield of animal product is measured, are indicated.

“…--------------------C ROWNVETCH (Coronilla varia L.) has been used in the northeastern US as an erosion control plant for more than 20 years (5, ll) and has more recently been shown to be adapted for this use in Georgia (9) and Alabama (12). Within the past 10 years interest in the use of crownvetch as a hay or grazing plant either alone or in mixtures with grasses (l) has developed in a number of states from Nebraska eastward to Pennsylvania.…”

Section: Additional Index Wordsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Crownvetch will become established and persist on acid, low-fertility areas (3,5,9,12) and is resistant to attack by insects and diseases. Its successful establish-283 ment on highway slopes, strip mine spoils, and similar difficult sites is said to require the use of high seeding rates and mulching.…”

Section: Additional Index Wordsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Variety, Seeding Rate, Companion Species, and Cutting Schedule on Crownvetch Yield¹

Mays¹,

Evans

1972

Crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) has previously been used for erosion control at several southern locations, but little or nothing was known of its productivity under intensive management or its competitive ability in mixtures with grasses of the region. At present seed prices the recommended seeding rate of 20 kg/ha or more would make establishment costs prohibitive. With the increasing interest in crownvetch as a forage, it was necessary to learn whether it is adapted for intensive management in the South either alone or in mixtures and to show that establishment costs could be reduced by use of lower seeding rates. ‘Penngift,’ ‘Chemung,’ and ‘Emerald’ varieties of crownvetch were seeded at Muscle Shoals, Ala., at rates of 5.6, 11.2, and 22.4 kg/ha in pure stands. At the same time, Penngift was seeded at 2.8, 5.6, and 11.2 kg/ha with orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca elatior), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Data from the pure stands indicated that there were no significant yield differences attributable to variety or seeding rate over a 2‐year period. New treatments were then assigned and the three varieties were subjected to two, three, or four cuttings annually. Four cuttings resulted in significantly less forage yield than two or three cuttings and caused severe stand loss after 2 years. The presence of alfalfa in the seeding mixture depressed crownvetch establishment and long‐term yields. Mixtures with fescue or orchardgrass produced more total forage than crownvetch alone in 2 out of 4 years. A good legume‐grass mixture was maintained for 3 years, but there were severe crownvetch stand losses by the 4th year. It was concluded that crownvetch is not adapted for intensive use as a forage plant in the South, although it seems well adapted for use as an infrequently cut ground cover.