Editing Onobrychis viciifolia

{{Short description|Plant species in the pea family}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Common sainfoin
| image = Onobrychis viciifolia Inflorescence 11April2009 CampoCalatrava.jpg
| image_caption = 
| genus = Onobrychis
| species = viciifolia
| authority = [[Scop.]]
| synonyms_ref = <ref name="POWO">{{cite POWO |id=510168-1 |title=''Onobrychis viciifolia'' Scop. |access-date=26 July 2024}}</ref>
| synonyms = {{Collapsible list | {{Species list
 | Hedysarum collinum | Salisb. (1796)
 | Hedysarum echinatum | Gilib. (1782)
 | Hedysarum montanum | Pers. (1807)
 | Hedysarum onobrychioides | Winkl. (1877)
 | Hedysarum onobrychis | L. (1753)
 | Hedysarum onobrychis var. canone | S.L.Welsh (1978)
 | Onobrychis alba | Boreau (1857)
 | Onobrychis bifera | (Alef.) Coulot & Rabaute (2020)
 | Onobrychis collina | Jord. (1851)
 | Onobrychis esponellae | Sennen (1936)
 | Onobrychis glabra | Desv. (1814)
 | Onobrychis incana | Gueldenst. (1791)
 | Onobrychis onobrychis | (L.) H.Karst. (1886)
 | Onobrychis pallens | Láng ex Neilr. (1865)
 | Onobrychis pallescens | Schur (1877)
 | Onobrychis procumbens | Fisch. ex Schrank (1822)
 | Onobrychis sativa | Lam. (1779)
}}
}}
}}

'''''Onobrychis viciifolia''''', also known as '''''O. sativa''''' or '''common sainfoin''' ({{IPAc-en|'|s|æ|n|f|ɔɪ|n}}) was an important forage [[legume]] in temperate regions until the 1950s. During the [[Green Revolution]] it was replaced by high yielding [[alfalfa]] and [[clover]] species. Due to its [[anthelmintic|anthelmintic properties]], common sainfoin is a natural alternative to drugs to control [[nematode]] parasitism in the guts of small ruminants. This is the main reason why ''O. viciifolia'' returned to the scientific agenda in recent years.<ref name="Berard">Berard N. C., Y. Wang, K. M. Wittenberg, D. O. Krause, B. E. Coulman, T. A. McAllister and K. H. Ominski, 2011. Condensed tannin concentrations found in vegetative and mature forage legumes grown in western Canada. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences, 91: 669–675</ref><ref name="Boschma" >Boschma S. P., G. M. Lodge and S. Harden, 2011. Seasonal production of lucerne and other perennial legumes and herbs in a summer dominant rainfall zone. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 54 (2): 105–114</ref><ref name="Carbonero">Carbonero C. H., I. Mueller-Harvey, T. A. Brown and L. Smith, 2011. Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia): a beneficial forage legume. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization 9(1): 70–85</ref><ref name="Heckendorn">Heckendorn F., D. A. Häring, V. Maurer, M. Senn and H. Hertzberg, 2007. Individual administration of three tanniferous forage plants to lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia curticei. Veterinary Parasitology 146: 123–134</ref><ref name="Lauriault">Lauriault L.M., R.E. Kirksey, and D.M. VanLeeuwen, 2008. Perennial cool-season forage legume performance in diverse soil moisture Treatments, southern High Plains, USA. New Mexico State University, Bulletin 796</ref><ref name="Manolaraki">Manolaraki F., S. Sotiraki, A. Stefanakis, V. Skampardonis, M. Volanis and H. Hoste, 2010. Anthelmintic activity of some Mediterranean browse plants against parasitic nematodes. Parasitology 137: 685–696</ref><ref name="Peel">Peel M. D., K. H. Asay, D. A. Johnson and B. L. Waldron, 2004. Forage production of sainfoin across an irrigation gradient. Crop Sciences 44: 614–619</ref><ref name="Paolini a">Paolini V., I. Fouraste and H. Hoste, 2003. In vitro effects of three woody plant and sainfoin extracts on 3rd-stage larvae and adult worms of three gastrointestinal nematodes. Parasitology, 129: 69–77</ref><ref name="Waghorn">Waghorn G. C., G.B. Douglas, J.H. Niezen, W.C. McNabb and A.G. Foote, 1998. Forages with condensed tannins – their management and nutritive value for ruminants. Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association 60: 89–98</ref><ref name="Waller">Waller P. J., From discovery to development: Current industry perspectives for the development of novel methods of helminth control in livestock, 2006. Veterinary Parasitology 139: 1–14</ref><ref name="Valderrabano">Valderrábano J., C. Calvete and J. Uriarte, 2010. Effect of feeding bioactive forages on infection and subsequent development of Haemonchus contortus in lamb faeces. Veterinary Parasitology 172: 89–94</ref><ref name="Xu">Xu B. C., P. Gichuki, L. Shan and F.M. Li., 2006. Aboveground biomass production and soil water dynamics of four leguminous forages in semiarid region, northwest China. South African Journal of Botany 72: 507–516</ref>

== Biological, ecological and biochemical properties ==
[[File:Onobrychis viciifolia MichaD.jpg|200px|left|thumb|''Onobrychis viciifolia'' and ''[[Ixodes scapularis]]'' (deer tick)]]
[[File:Onobrychis Viciifolia in Behbahan.jpg|alt=Wild Onobrychis Viciifolia in Behbahan, Iran|thumb|Wild ''Onobrychis viciifolia'' in [[Behbahan]]]]
The genus ''[[Onobrychis]]'' comprises 54 different species of which ''O. viciifolia'' is of greatest [[Agronomy|agronomic]] importance. Two different agricultural types of ''O. viciifolia'' are known. The single-cut type is characterized by a vegetative regrowth{{clarify|reason=what is meant by vegetative regrowth?|date=May 2014}} after cutting and its origin is in Europe. A generative regrowth{{clarify|reason=what is meant by generative regrowth, and how does this differ from vegetative regrowth|date=May 2014}} after cutting is typical for the second or the double-cut type. Originated in the Middle East the double-cut type grows larger than the single-cut type.<ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Waghorn" /> Compared to other forage legumes both types are weak in competition and their regrowth after mowing is considered to be low. Also the yields of common sainfoin are significantly lower than those of alfalfa and clover.<ref name="Boschma" /><ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Lauriault" /><ref name="Agridea">Agridea, 2012. Esparsette reich an kondensierten Tanninen. http://www.agridea-lausanne.ch/files/ftesparcette-2012-d.pdf, last visited 23.7.2012</ref><ref name="Waghorn" /><ref name="Xu" /><ref name="Liu a">Liu Z., G. P. F. Lane and W. P. Davies, 2008. Establishment and production of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in the UK. 2. Effects of direct sowing and undersowing in spring barley on sainfoin and sainfoin-grass mixtures. Grass and Forage Science, 63: 242–248</ref><ref name="Liu b">Liu Z., R. N. Baines, G. P. F. Lane and W. P. Davies, 2009. Survival of plants of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in competition with two companion grass species. Grass and Forage Science, 65: 11–14</ref><ref name="Moyer">Moyer J. R., 1985. Effect of Weed Control and a Companion Crop on Alfalfa and Sainfoin Establishment, Yields and Nutrients Composition. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences, 65: 107-116</ref>

In terms of [[Nitrogen fixation|symbiotic nitrogen fixation]] from the atmosphere, common sainfoin is not as specific as other legumes. A relatively broad range of [[rhizobia]] genera is able to colonize the roots of ''O. viciifolia''.<ref name="Baimiev">Baimiev Al. Kl., An. Kh. Baimiev, I. I. Gubaidullin, O. L. Kulikova, and A. V. Chemeris, 2007. Bacteria closely related to Phyllobacterium trifolii according to their 16S rRNA gene are discovered in the nodules of Hungarian sainfoin. Russian Journal of Genetics, Vol. 43 (5): 587–590</ref>
The common sainfoin is an open pollinating plant, mainly pollinated by nectar feeding insects. Therefore, ''O. viciifolia'' is a promising crop to enhance biodiversity within agro-ecosystems. This pollination biology leads to certain difficulties in breeding programs resulting in a low number of registered cultivars.<ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Agridea" /><ref name="Agroscope">Agroscope, 2011. Liste der empfohlenen Sorten von Futterpflanzen 2011-2012: http://www.agff.ch/cms/index.php?menuid=34&reporeid=85, last visited 23.7.2012</ref><ref>http://eurisco.ecpgr.org/search/quick_search.html, last visited 1.11.2012</ref><ref name="Clement">Clement S. L., T. L. Griswold, R. W. Rust, B. C. Hellier and D. M. Stout, 2006. Bee associates of flowering Astragalus and Onobrychis genebank accessions at a Snake River site in Eastern Washington. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, 79(3): 254–260</ref>
The leaves of common sainfoin contain high levels of [[condensed tannin]]s. This content can be more than five times higher than in clover species or alfalfa<ref name="Berard" /><ref name="Heckendorn" /><ref name="Manolaraki" /><ref name="Paolini a" /><ref name="Valderrabano" />	.

== Beneficial aspects in animal production ==

An animal diet containing common sainfoin is able to reduce nematode (e.g. ''[[Haemonchus contortus]]'') parasitism in ruminant’s guts. Due to the high levels of condensed tannins, the fecundity of nematodes and the number of their eggs in the ruminant’s digestive system are reduced.<ref name="Heckendorn" /><ref name="Manolaraki" /><ref name="Valderrabano" /><ref name="Hoste">Hoste H., L. Gaillard and Y. Le Frileux, 2005. Consequences of the regular distribution of sainfoin hay on gastrointestinal parasitism with nematodes and milk production in dairy goats. Small Ruminant Research 59: 265–271</ref><ref name="Morrill">Morrill W. L., R. L. Ditterline and S. D. Cash, 1998. Insect pests and associated root pathogens of sainfoin in western USA. Field Crops Research 59: 129-134</ref><ref name="Paolini b">Paolini V., P. Dorchies and H. Hoste, 2003. Effects of sainfoin hay on gastrointestinal infection with nematodes in goats. http://orgprints.org/6995/01/vetrec.pdf, last visited: 24.7.2012</ref><ref name="Paolini c">Paolini V., F. Prevot, P. Dorchies and H. Hoste, 2005. Lack of effects of quebracho and sainfoin hay on incoming third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus in goats. The Veterinary Journal 170: 260–263</ref><ref name="Scharenberg">Scharenberg, A., F. Heckendorn, Y. Arrigo, H. Hertzberg, A. Gutzwiller, H. D. Hess, M. Kreuzer and F. Dohme, 2008. Contortus and fed tanniferous sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) nitrogen and mineral balance of lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus. Journal of Animal Sciences, 86: 1879–1890</ref> Especially in goat and sheep production systems feeding of ''O. viciifolia'' is a promising alternative or complement to synthetic drugs.<ref name="Carbonero" />
Besides these anthelmintic properties diets containing common sainfoin can lead to increasing daily weight gains of small ruminants. Also milk quantity and quality of these animals are not negatively affected by ''O. viciifolia'' intake. Furthermore, various studies showed that the voluntary intake of sainfoin was comparable or even higher than the intake of alfalfa or clover species.<ref name="Heckendorn" /><ref name="Manolaraki" /><ref name="Paolini a" /><ref name="Valderrabano" /><ref name="Hoste" />

== Cultivation of ''O. viciifolia'' ==
[[File:Sainfoin issyk kul.jpg|thumbnail|''O. viciifolia'' in a field]]
To reach high levels of condensed tannins common sainfoin should be sown in pure culture. Due to its low competitiveness, weed infestation has to be controlled, especially in the first year. Normally [[fertilizer]] applications are not needed to reach satisfying yields. Nevertheless, [[slurry]] or [[phosphate]] applications can promote initial growth. Pests and diseases are almost never a serious problem.<ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Heckendorn" /><ref name="Waghorn" /><ref name="Agridea" /><ref name="Liu a" /><ref name="Liu b"/><ref name="Moyer" /><ref name="Turk">Turk M., S. Albayrak, C. G. Tuzun and O. Yuksel, 2011. Effects of fertilisation and harvesting stages on forage yield and quality of sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa L.). Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 17 (6): 789–794</ref>
Frost and drought tolerance of common sainfoin is higher than in other forage legumes such as alfalfa or different clover species.<ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Waghorn" /><ref name="Meyer">Meyer D. W. and M. Badaruddin, 2001. Frost tolerance of ten seedling legume species at four growth stages. Crop Sciences 41: 1838–1842</ref> In contrast, ''O. viciifolia'' is much more intolerant to [[Waterlogging (agriculture)|water logging]] than other forage legumes. Therefore, clayey soils with a bad drainage should be avoided. Also acidic soils are not appropriate for the cultivation of common sainfoin.<ref name="Carbonero" /><ref name="Lauriault" /><ref name="Waghorn" /><ref name="Bordeleau">Bordeleau L. M. and D. Prévost, 1994. Nodulation and nitrogen fixation in extreme environments. Plant and Soil 161: 115–125</ref><ref name="Heinrichs">Heinrichs D. M., 1970. Flooding Tolerance of Legumes. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences 50: 435-438</ref>

Seedbed preparation and sowing procedure are done in a similar manner and with the same machinery as for cereal cultivation. Around 800 seeds per square meter should be sown on a weed free seedbed between spring and late summer. In the year of establishment common sainfoin can be cut twice a year. Afterwards up to four cuts per growing season are possible. Careful mowing is important to minimize disintegration losses. Common sainfoin can be stored and fed to animals in the form of [[hay]], [[Compound feed|pellets]] or [[silage]].<ref name="Agridea" />

== References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?3691,4153,4154 Jepson Manual Treatment]
*[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ONVI USDA Plants Profile]
*[http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gallery/pictures/onovicii/sainfoin.htm FAO Photo Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924043823/http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gallery/pictures/onovicii/sainfoin.htm |date=2015-09-24 }}
*{{GRIN}}
*[http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?query_src=photos_index&where-taxon=Onobrychis+viciifolia Photo gallery]
*[http://sainfoin.eu sainfoin.eu]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q157933}}

[[Category:Hedysareae]]
[[Category:Forages]]