Forage production and quality of serradella in mild winter areas in north-west Spain

Forage production potential and nutritive value of pink serradella (Ornitho pus sativus) from New Zealand and from the Atlantic coastal areas of Galici a (north-west Spain, south-west Europe) were compared. The experiments were conducted in the high rainfall and mild winter areas of Galicia, where thi s minor legume has traditionally been grown on neutral to acidic sandy soil s for hay and for green fodder production. The average forage dry matter (D M) yields ranged from 4.2 to 4.3 t DM ha(-1) in April and 5.6 to 6.1 t DM h a(-1) in May. At the May harvest the accumulated growing degree day units ( base 10) ranged from 448 to 497. 'Grasslands Koha', a New Zealand variety o f European origin, was the highest yielder, suggesting that serradella plan t material from southwest Europe may be adapted to some areas of New Zealan d and vice-versa. The average decline in the forage quality of serradella f rom the vegetative stage to flowering stage was 0.71 g kg(-1)d(-1) in crude protein and 1.42 g kg(-1) d(-1) in vitro organic matter digestibility. The se quality reductions are lower than the values reported for some other for age crops. This important Feature could he used to maximise production of h igh quality spring forage.