Enhancement of Grassland Function and Productivity with Legumes and Other Forbs—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

While legumes and other forbs are not the dominant functional groups in grasslands, their value is far-reaching. From alpine to desert environments, forb species provide essential biological diversity to native grasslands, and seeded broadleaf ley and cover crops increase the organic matter and nutrient status of their soil. Legumes contribute nitrogen to grasslands through biological fixation, and the belowground rooting structure of grasslands is broadened by tap-rooted forbs. Many forbs synthesize bioactive chemicals, such as tannins, essential oils, and isoflavones, that benefit the health and productivity of ruminants while reducing their negative environmental impacts, including methane emissions and nitrogen losses.

We previously published a Special Issue on “Enhancement of Grassland Function and Productivity with Legumes and Other Forbs”, which contained several excellent papers. Based on the success of that Special Issue, we now propose a second edition of the same topic that will cover a broader range of forb applications.

This Special Issue of Agronomy is focused on the enrichment that forbs introduce to grasslands around the globe. Current research on grassland forbs includes the provision of floral resources for pollinators, the differential delivery of soil nutrients provided by grasses and forbs, and the positive effect of legumes on soil carbon sequestration. We invite reports of original research and reviews on all aspects of the contributions that forbs make to grasslands and the implications for ruminants, wildlife and pollinator habitats, soil microbiology, and the sustainability and resilience of grasslands in changing climates.

Prof. Dr. Jennifer MacAdam
Dr. Benjamin F. Tracy
Guest Editors

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