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Title: Production of the sunn hemp cultivars 'AU Golden' and 'AU Durbin developed by Auburn University

Author
item MOSJIDIS, JORGE - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Burke, Joan
item CASEY, PAUL - HEIFER INTERNATIONAL
item HESS, JOSEPH - AUBURN UNIVERSITY
item WEHTJE, GLENN - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Agricultural Experiment Station Publication
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2013
Publication Date: 3/1/2013
Citation: Mosjidis, J.A., Balkcom, K.S., Burke, J.M., Casey, P., Hess, J.B., Wehtje, G. 2013. Production of the sunn hemp cultivars 'AU Golden' and 'AU Durbin developed by Auburn University. Department of Agronomy and Soils. Department Series No. 328. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Available at http://www.aaes.auburn.edu/comm/pubs/pubs-by-type/agron301-350.php

Interpretive Summary: Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is the fastest growing species of the genus Crotalaria and is the most widely grown green manure in the tropics. Sunn hemp is also adapted to a wide range of conditions and soil types, while still producing high biomass yields. These characteristics enable the crop to be used as a summer cover crop to protect and conserve soil and improve soil productivity. However, sunn hemp can only produce seed in tropical environments, which results in limited seed supplies and high seed costs. Auburn University recently released two sunn hemp cultivars, ‘AU Golden’ and ‘AU Durbin’, capable of producing seed in subtropical/temperate climates of the U.S. General agronomic information on sunn hemp production, management, and uses are summarized in this publication from a wide range of contributors that include Auburn Univ. scientists, ARS scientists in Auburn and Booneville, as well as, Heifer International in Arkansas.

Technical Abstract: Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is the fastest growing species of the genus Crotalaria and is the most widely grown green manure in the tropics. Sunn hemp is also adapted to a wide range of conditions and soil types, while still producing high biomass yields. These characteristics enable the crop to be used as a summer cover crop to protect and conserve soil and improve soil productivity. However, sunn hemp can only produce seed in tropical environments, which results in limited seed supplies and high seed costs. Auburn University recently released two sunn hemp cultivars, ‘AU Golden’ and ‘AU Durbin’, capable of producing seed in subtropical/temperate climates of the U.S. General agronomic information on sunn hemp production, management, and uses are summarized in this publication.