4.1 Cup-plant: A Perennial Fodder Crop with Potential

A prospection of the properties of cupplant (Silphium perfoliatum) as a fodder crop

Thomas van Loo, Inagro

A changing climate with more extreme weather conditions, a decrease in biodiversity, fewer permitted pesticides, soil erosion... These are current topics where the cup-plant can possibly offer help as an alternative crop. To estimate whether this crop has potential as a fodder crop, Inagro studied the pollinators on cup-plant flowers and analysed five different plots. Inagro carried out this research in the framework of BEESPOKE, where we look for ways to support pollinators in the agricultural landscape.

Cup-plant, a plant with many assets

The cup-plant is a perennial crop that can remain productive for more than 20 years without having to till the soil. Moreover, it is a very tall plant, which can reach more than 3 m in height and accordingly produces a lot of biomass. Its ability to withstand drought thanks to its roots that grow more than 2 m deep, combined with its ability to withstand flooding for several days in winter, make it an attractive crop in today’s weather patterns. Moreover, the deep roots make it possible to recover nutrients that might otherwise have leaked away too deep into the soil.

In addition, the cup-plant has interesting flowering properties. The plants produce many flowers, which are very attractive to many beneficial insects such as hoverflies (natural enemies) and bees (pollinators). The plants flower quite late in the summer, at a time when few other plants produce nectar. The cup-plant thereby offers the needed food resources for many insects at this time of the season.

Promising fodder

Currently the main interest in the crop is focussing on its usage as an energy-crop, for methanization. A study shows that plants harvested at the end of the flowering period also show promising nutritional properties

• The plants contain a lot of sugar, so the product is tasty and possible for silage.

• You do have to supplement the crop with other products that are less structured.

• The protein content seems to vary widely but is probably related to soil fertility and the degree of dehydration of the plants.

• Some trace elements and minerals are clearly increased in sunflower crown: For example, there is 10 times more calcium than in corn.

Results from plants that already are about 10 years old are not performing less than the younger plants. Attractiveness for pollinators was investigated on 1 location, but only on a handful of plants due to unforeseen circumstances.

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