Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) seed production at different sowing rates

Sulla is a short-lived perennial legume native to the Mediterranean basin and grown as a rainfed forage crop in many countries on clay and calcareous soils. This legume has a remarkable N-fixation ability and can play an important role for forage production, due to its moderate condensed tannin content, and/or multifunctional agriculture (organic agriculture, environment protection, honey production, landscape embellishment, etc.). The objective of this research was to study, during a biennial cycle, the effect of different sowing rates (10, 20 and 30 kg per ha of seed) on sulla seed production and components in order to identify optimal plant density. The different seed rates showed a temporary effect in plant density and no significant effects on seed production compared to the age of the sulla stand.