3.3. Yield performance of M. sativa L.
The annual yield of M. sativa at the Lusatian study site ranged
between 7.6 and 9.5 tha−1 a−1 dry matter (Fig. 5a) which falls
belowthe mean annual productivity on naturally grownarable
land in Germany ranging between 9 and 14 tha−1 a−1 drymatter
(Heyland, 1996). However, according to experiences of local
farmers M. sativa yields achieved on these reclaimed overburden
sediments nearly equalled that of adjacent agricultural
sites of the study area. This clearly reflects the generally low
nutrient supply and water availability on farm lands in this
region. Therefore, it was evenmore surprising that crop yields
developed in such a positive way 7 years after the reclamation
of the overburden sediments.