This work had the objective to evaluate phenological and productive aspects of native (Adesmia latifolia, A. tristis) and exotics legumes (Lotus corniculatus, L. uliginosus, Trifolium repens) as for the phenological stage on first-cutting: vegetative (CEV) and flowering (CEF). The plants were established as monoculture in the field and evaluated between May/2000 and September/2001, in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul. After the first cutting the plants were defoliated in 45 days intervals. There were nine cuttings in CEV-management and seven in the CEF-management. The phenological stage on first-cutting modified significantly (P<0,05) the dry matter (DM) production of T. repens (CEV = 9.000 kg/ha of DM, CEF = 7.000 kg/ha of DM) and A. tristis (CEV = 4.000 kg/ha of DM, CEF = 8.000 kg/ha of DM). L. corniculatus produced about 15.000 kg/ha of DM and A. latifolia, 2.000 to 3.000 kg/ha of DM, regardless the management. L. uliginosus did not flowered, producing 7.000 kg/ha of DM in the CEV-management. The native legumes showed poor persistence with death of the plants (A. tristis) and stolons (A. latifolia) at the end of the growing season. The highest production of the T. repens was in the spring and for the Lotus species, in the summer.
birdsfoot trefoil; forage; persistence; white clover
