Annual Lespedezas: Culture and Use   

The annual lespedezas are of major importance in the eastern half of the United States as forage crops for midsummer and early fall grazing, for soil improvement, and for hay and seed. During the period 1951-60, 4.89 million acres were grown annually for hay and seed, but since that time the acreage has declined. There are production problems in establishing lespedezas in winter oats or wheat, particularly when high rates of nitrogen fertilizers are applied to the grain crop. Under these conditions lespedeza plants are weakened and are unable to compete with weeds after the grain crop is harvested.

The use of the more productive, vigorous Korean varieties— Iowa 6, Rowan, Climax, and Summit results in better establishment and higher yields under these more competitive conditions. In the southern area, Kobe lespedeza continues to be an important variety while Common is grown to a limited extent for pasture.

This bulletin supersedes Farmers' Bulletin 1852,

Lespedeza: Culture and Utilization, and Leaflet 240,

Kobe, A Superior Lespedeza.

Washington, D.C.

Revised June 1904

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