A Comparison Between Russian Comfrey and Lucerne

Abstract

Apart from a number of other disadvantages in its use, Russian comfrey has beenshown to be inferior to lucerne in the following respects:- (i) it gives a lower dry-matter yield; (ii) its percentage of dry matter and crude protein are lower than those of lucerne; (iii) the digestibility of the crude protein is lower in comfrey than in lucerne; (iv) soil contamination of the herbage is considerably greater on comfrey than on lucerne. Russian comfrey was therefore inferior to lucerne under the conditions of this experiment except in its lower fiber content, which would favour it to some extent for feeding to pigs and poultry. The growth of the lucerne was markedly stimulated by an application of gypsum.