Studies On The Introduction, Selection And Cultivation Techniques Of Forage Lespedeza

Lespedeza was perennial defoliation forage shrub species of legume trees. They were recognized for their advantages of fast-growing, high-yield of forage, richer nutritive value, tolerance to drought and barren, etc.In this paper, the phenological spectrum, growth rhythm, biomass and nutrient content were studied and compared to 28 provenances of 6 lespedeza tree species introduced from homeland and abroad, several provenances much better suitable to Beijing and surrounding area were screened and the afforestation techniques adapted to semi-arid area in north China were studied.The main research results were as follows:1) The provenance from Georgia in U.S.A. was the best one in the 7 provenances of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya. Its leaves biomass in vegetative stages, flowering period and fruiting period were 39.4g, 59.3g and 48.6g and were 25%-220% more than other provenances; Its crude protein content and energy per stem were 11.43g and 1.04MJ and were 2 times more than some kinds of provenances. The biomass of leaves, crude protein content and energy of the provenance from Guandishan in Shanxi province were the highest in the 6 provenances of Lespedeza bicolor. Its leaves biomass in vegetative, flowering and bearing pod stage were about 101%-121% more than the poor provenance; The provenance from xiaolongmen in Beijing was more outstanding in 5 provenances of lespedeza cuneata, its biomass and nutrient content were all higher. The forage biomass of the 3 better lespedeza provenances in flowering period could reached about 21000-26685kg/hm2 and the yield was higher.2) The provenance of Lespedeza cyrtobotrya from Georgia in U.S.A. was the best one in all the provenances of 6 species. Its leaves biomass, crude protein content and energy content per stem were all higher than other provenances.3) Compared with alfalfa by document data, the better provenances of lespedeza were much better in forage production. Its unit area production was 72%-121% more than alfalfa. So, the lespedeza has great potentiality and market as one series of new-type forage shrub legumes.4) The afforestation techniques by seeding and seedlings of lespedeza bicolor and lespedeza cunezta suitable for semi-arid region were summarized in this paper. The provenance of lespedeza bicolor from Georgia of U.S.A. and the provenance lespedeza cuneata from South Carolina of U.S.A were more suitable to this region than the nativeprovenances on growth and nutritive value; Intercropping with Juglans regia (2m*3m), 2 lines of lespedeza bicolor trees or 3 lines of lespedeza cuneata trees were more suitable, and the planting density could be increased appropriately. In the very arid summer, it was not suitable for cradling in the plantations of lespedeza bicolor and lespedeza cuneata in the first planting year.Several fine lespedeza species and provenances were chosen for Beijing and surrounding area and afforestiton techniques were summarized primarily in this study, it have great theoretical and realistic meaning. At last, it suggests that continue researches on lespedeza are very important, it should be explored and utilized lespedeza in arid and semi-arid regions in northwestern and north China. Lespedeza will play an important role for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry and the improvement of ecological environment. We look forward to "great success can be achieved by little shrub".