Effects of Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic.) on the Chemical Composition of Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted in a pure stand of lucerne (variety Viktoria) under natural weed infestation with shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic.) on a slightly leached chernozem soil under nonirrigated conditions in the experimental field of the Institute of Forage Crops – Pleven during the 2006-2007 period. The effect of shepherd’s purse Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. on the chemical composition of lucerne Medicago sativa (L.) was analyzed. Statistically significant (P<0.05) functional relations were found between the chemical characteristics and percentage of Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. participation in the lucerne sward, and forage quality. These relations indicated a multiple practical relevance and a necessity to control Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. in lucerne stands in order to decrease weed density and improve forage quality.

Tokom perioda 2006-2007. godine obavljeno je istraživanje na eksperimentalnom polju Instituta za krmno bilje u čistom zasadu lucerke (varijetet Viktoria) sa prirodnom zakorovljenošću rusomačom (Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic.) na blago izluženom černozemu u uslovima bez navodnjavanja. Analiziran je efekat rusomače Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. na hemijski sastav lucerke Medicago sativa (L.). Konstatovani su statistički značajni (P<0,05) funkcionalni odnosi između hemijskih osobina i procenta učešća Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. u lucerki, i kvaliteta krmiva. Ovi odnosi ukazuju na višestruku praktičnu važnost i potrebu suzbijanja vrste Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic. u lucerki kako bi se smanjila gustina korova i poboljšao kvalitet krmiva.