Performance of legumes for potential use in pasture swards under conditions of periodic water limitation

In Central Europe, the yield stability of grass-Trifolium repens mixtures may be at risk in the face of climate projections predicting periods of reduced rainfall or drought in summer, because yields of T. repens strongly decrease when water supply is limited. So far, there is little knowledge of the agronomic potential under drought conditions of alternatives to T. repens. In the present study we examined dry matter yield and water-use efficiency of five legume species that are currently of minor importance in pasture swards. Our data showed high dry matter yield stability and water-use efficiency for Medicago lupulina and indicate that this species warrants further consideration as an alternative to T. repens in pasture swards under conditions of limited summer precipitation.