View source for Biology:Galega orientalis

{{Short description|Species of legume}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Galega orientalis.jpg
|genus = Galega
|species = orientalis
|authority = Lam.
}}

'''''Galega orientalis''''' is a species of flowering plant in the [[Biology:Fabaceae|Fabaceae]], the [[Biology:Legume|legume]] family. It is known commonly as '''fodder galega''' and '''eastern galega'''. It is cultivated as a fodder and forage for livestock.

This species is native to the [[Earth:Caucasus|Caucasus]].<ref name=fao>Frame, J. [http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/Gbase/data/pf000480.htm ''Galega orientalis'' Lam.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407101727/http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/Pf000480.HTM |date=2014-04-07 }} Grassland Species Profiles. FAO.</ref> Its native range includes parts of {{wipe|Russia}}, [[Place:Armenia|Armenia]], and [[Place:Azerbaijan|Azerbaijan]]. It has been [[Earth:Introduced species|introduced]] to many other regions for use in agriculture.<ref name=grin>{{GRIN | accessdate = 21 January 2018}}</ref>

==Description==
This species is a perennial herb with a [[Biology:Taproot|taproot]] and [[Biology:Rhizome|rhizome]] system. It produces stems up to 2 meters tall which branch near the middle. The leaves are pinnate. The [[Biology:Inflorescence|inflorescence]] bears up to 70 [[Lilac (color)|lilac-colored]] flowers,<ref name=fao/> and some [[Biology:Cultivar|cultivar]]s can produce more.<ref name=bale2>Baležentienė, L. (2008). [http://llufb.llu.lv/conference/agrvestis/content/n10/AgrVestis-Nr10-82-87.pdf Bio-morphological peculiarities of new cultivars of fodder galega (''Galega orientalis'' Lam.)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233544/http://llufb.llu.lv/conference/agrvestis/content/n10/AgrVestis-Nr10-82-87.pdf |date=2016-03-03 }} ''Agronomijas Vēstis'' 10 82-7.</ref> The fruit pod is up to 4 centimeters long and contains up to 8 seeds each a few millimeters in length.<ref name=fao/>

==Biology==
The plant can grow on a variety of soil types, performing best on deep, light, [[Physics:Friability|friable]], well-drained, higher-[[Chemistry:PH|pH]] soils. It is quite tolerant of winter cold, but late-season frosts can damage fresh growth. It is somewhat tolerant of [[Earth:Drought|drought]] and flooding. It does not do as well on acidic, [[Earth:Peat|peat]]y, or water-logged soils. It responds well to supplemental phosphorus and potassium.<ref name=agro>[http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/content/cultural/Galega_orientalis_K/ ''Galega orientalis'' Lam.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506000730/http://www.agroatlas.ru/en/content/cultural/Galega_orientalis_K/ |date=2015-05-06 }} AgroAtlas: Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries.</ref>

Like many other legumes, it fixes nitrogen.<ref name=agro/> Its root nodule bacterium is  ''Rhizobium galegae''. Growers must ensure that their seed has been inoculated with it to produce adequate plant growth.<ref name=fao/> Some strains of ''R. galegae'' are more effective [[Earth:Symbiosis|symbionts]] than others, and different strains compete on one plant. When a less effective strain outcompetes effective strains, the plant does not grow as well.<ref name=tas>Tas, E., et al. (1996). [http://aem.asm.org/content/62/2/529.full.pdf Assessment of competitiveness of rhizobia infecting ''Galega orientalis'' on the basis of plant yield, nodulation, and strain identification by antibiotic resistance and PCR.] ''Applied and Environmental Microbiology'' 62(2) 529-35.</ref>

The rhizome of the plant makes it persistent in the field; the rhizome spreads, sending up new stems, and the plant can live well over ten years,<ref name=agro/> even exceeding 30 years in some areas.<ref name=adam>Adamovics, A., et al. (2011). [http://www.egf2011.at/files/pubs/416_adamovics.pdf Biogas production from ''Galega orientalis'' Lam. and galega-grass biomass.]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Grassland Science in Europe'' 16 416-18.</ref>

==Ecology==
The flowers are [[Biology:Pollination|pollinated]] by [[Biology:Bee|bee]]s.<ref name=fao/> It produces good quantities of [[Biology:Nectar|nectar]] and [[Biology:Pollen|pollen]].<ref name=agro/> It makes a good [[Chemistry:Honey|honey plant]].<ref name=raig>Raig, H., et al. [http://www.eria.ee/public/files/Fodder_Galega_lk_5_53.pdf ''Fodder Galega''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705230910/http://www.eria.ee/public/files/Fodder_Galega_lk_5_53.pdf |date=2007-07-05 }} Eesti Maaviljeluse Instituut, Estonia. 2001.</ref>

The plant is host to several [[Biology:Fungus|fungal]] species, some pathogenic, such as ''[[Biology:Ascochyta|Ascochyta]]'' sp., which causes [[Biology:Blight|blight]], ''[[Biology:Fusarium oxysporum|Fusarium oxysporum]]'', which causes [[Biology:Fusarium wilt|Fusarium wilt]], and the gray mould ''[[Biology:Botrytis cinerea|Botrytis cinerea]]''. Other species include ''Humicola brevis'', ''[[Biology:Acremonium strictum|Acremonium strictum]]'', and ''[[Biology:Cladosporium cladosporioides|Cladosporium cladosporioides]]''.<ref name=cwal>Cwalina-Ambroziak, B. and J. Koc. (2005). [http://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/aa/article/view/1894 Fungi colonising the above-ground parts of fodder galega (''Galega orientalis'' Lam.) cultivated in pure sowing and mixed with smooth brome-grass (''Bromus inermis'' Leyss.)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202232902/https://pbsociety.org.pl/journals/index.php/aa/article/view/1894 |date=2017-12-02 }} ''Acta Agrobotanica'' 58(1).</ref>

==Uses==
This plant is grown to feed livestock. Its potential value as a fodder was first suggested in 1908, and trials began near [[Place:Moscow|Moscow]] in the 1920s.<ref name=raig/> It is productive, persistent, and nutritious, with high protein.<ref name=agro/> It contains high levels of [[Chemistry:Carotene|carotene]], minerals, and [[Chemistry:Vitamin|vitamin]]s, especially [[Biology:Vitamin C|vitamin C]].<ref name=bale>Baležentienė, L. and V. Spruogis. (2011). [http://vetzoo.lva.lt/data/vols/2011/56/pdf/balezentiene.pdf Experience of fodder galega (''Galega orientalis'' Lam.) and traditional fodder grasses use for forage production in organic farm.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606213901/http://vetzoo.lva.lt/data/vols/2011/56/pdf/balezentiene.pdf |date=2014-06-06 }} ''Veterinarija ir Zootechnika'' 56 78.</ref> It produces many crops of vegetation, its rhizome continuing to produce stems as it grows. It can be cut down repeatedly and taken for hay and silage, and the stubble can be [[Biology:Grazing|grazed]]. The whole plant is not generally suitable for grazing, though. It works well as a [[Biology:Companion planting|companion]] to a non-competitive grass such as [[Biology:Timothy-grass|timothy]] or [[Biology:Festuca|fescue]].<ref name=agro/> In cold northern regions it is valuable because it produces vegetation earlier in the spring and continues later in the fall than some other forages.<ref name=bale/> It is low in [[Biology:Toxin|toxic]] [[Chemistry:Alkaloid|alkaloid]] concentration, making it useful as feed when its alkaloid-rich close relative ''[[Biology:Galega officinalis|Galega officinalis]]'' is not.<ref name=raig/>

The cultivar 'Gale', developed jointly by Estonian and Russian breeders, was released in 1987.<ref name=fao/> The cultivars 'Vidmantai', 'Laukiai', and 'Melsviai' have been bred in Lithuania.<ref name=bale2/>

The plant has been investigated as a source of [[Physics:Biogas|biogas]], and it has produced a good amount in trials when mixed with grasses and [[Chemistry:Manure|manure]].<ref name=adam/>

It has been tested as an agent of [[Earth:Bioremediation|bioremediation]] of oil-polluted soils. Some of the bacteria it hosts can degrade soil pollutants such as [[Chemistry:Toluene|toluene]]s.<ref name=kak>Kaksonen, A. H., et al. (2006). [http://www.dzumenvis.nic.in/General%20Ecology/pdf/Rhizosphere%20effect%20of%20Galega.pdf Rhizosphere effect of ''Galega orientalis'' in oil-contaminated soil.]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Soil Biology and Biochemistry'' 38(4) 817-27.</ref>

It is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.<ref name=bourne>Bourne, V. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/5602944/How-to-grow-Galega-orientalis.html How to grow: ''Galega orientalis''.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011025803/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/5602944/How-to-grow-Galega-orientalis.html |date=2012-10-11 }} ''The Telegraph''. June 22, 2009.</ref>

The plant has also been considered a prospective [[Biology:Energy crop|energy crop]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q3744787}}

[[Category:Galegeae]]

{{Sourceattribution|Galega orientalis}}