Assessment of the Efficiency of Combined Seeding Rates of Common Vetch and Ryegrass for Controlling Weed Development in Organic Forage Cultivation Systems.

Weed suppression is a crucial factor in sustainable agriculture, and optimizing plant mixtures can enhance weed control efficiency. This study evaluates the effects of different mixture ratios of common vetch ( L.) and annual ryegrass ( L.) on forage yield, biomass production, dry matter production, and weed suppression in organic forage cropping systems. Field experiments were conducted during the 2021-2022 growing season at two locations in Turkey: Ankara/Yenikent and Manisa/Beydere, using 11 mixture ratios ranging from 100% vetch to 100% ryegrass. Results showed that ryegrass-dominant mixtures, particularly 10% vetch/90% ryegrass and 30% vetch/70% ryegrass, achieved the highest forage and dry matter yields while maintaining effective weed suppression. Pure ryegrass systems (100% ryegrass) exhibited the highest overall productivity, whereas pure vetch (100% vetch) treatments were less effective in weed control and biomass production. Environmental differences between locations significantly influenced the performance of mixtures, with Manisa/Beydere yielding higher overall results. This study highlights the potential of optimizing vetch-ryegrass mixtures to balance forage yield, weed suppression, and adaptability in organic cropping systems, offering practical insights for sustainable forage production. Ryegrass-dominated mixtures (30% V 70% RG, 60% V 40% RG) have been shown to provide high yields, effective weed suppression, and better nutritional benefits than vetch.