Using Winter Cereals as Cover Crops for Perennial Leguminous Grasses in Southeast Kazakhstan

Meiirman G. Abayev S. Yerzhanova S. Toktarbekova S. Nasiyev B. Zhanatalapov N. Khairush A.
January-February 2026 Unique Scientific Publishers

International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences
2026 #15 Issue 1 233 - 240 pp.

This study investigates the use of winter cereals as cover crops for the establishment of perennial leguminous grasses (alfalfa, sainfoin, and yellow sweet clover) in the semi-arid conditions of Southeast Kazakhstan. The primary objective was to assess the agronomic performance and fodder productivity of these legumes when undersown into winter cereal stands. A field experiment was conducted using nine treatment variants combining three perennial legumes with or without winter triticale or barley cover crops. Biomass yields, phenological development, and metabolizable energy content were assessed over two years. Sowing was done on experimental fields with light chestnut soils, and data were collected following standard agronomic procedures and statistical analysis. Undersowing legumes into winter cereals enabled early crop establishment without additional tillage, enhanced weed suppression, and significantly increased first-year biomass yields (260– 340cwt/ha), with the legume proportion ranging from 8.7 to 12.4%. In the second year, perennial legumes previously grown under cover crops exhibited metabolizable energy yields (140.1–149.4GJ/ha) that were comparable to or exceeded those of pure legume stands (136.9–144.1GJ/ha). Importantly, no adverse effects on regrowth or long-term productivity were observed. Using winter cereals as cover crops for perennial legumes is an effective strategy for increasing fodder production, improving weed control, and enhancing resource use efficiency. This method is especially beneficial for weed-infested fields and supports sustainable agriculture in arid and semi-arid environments.

Alfalfa , Legumes , Sainfoin , Sustainable agriculture , Sweet clover , Сover crops

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Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Kazakhstan
Zhangir Khan Agrarian Technical University, Kazakhstan

Kazakh Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing
Zhangir Khan Agrarian Technical University

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