Forage species for long duration artificial mixtures characterised by different complexity.

In marginal lands under Mediterranean climatic conditions it is very important to create long duration grasslands characterised by species adapted to the environment and with good and stable production. In an area of south Tuscany, on a public farm managed to maintain the local cow breed "Maremmana", a trial was carried out comparing three forage mixtures characte rised by different composition over a four-year period. Data collection concerned the evolution of the sown s pecies and weeds, the producti vity and the quality of each mixtures studied. Best results were found in the most complex mixture, concerning DM production, forage quality and stability of a more balanced equilibrium among sown species.