Establishment and productivity of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or alfalfa- hybrid bromegrass mixtures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Foster ◽  
Bill Biligetu
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Allelopathic Effect ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) is a non-bloating, perennial legume that has shown persistence under grazing. Limited information is available on its seedling establishment and subsequent forage yield and nutritive value in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures. Field plots were seeded in May 2013 at Melfort, SK, Canada to evaluate ‘Oxley II’ cicer milkvetch performance in ‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa or alfalfa and ‘AC Success’ hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius × B. inermis) mixtures from 2014 to 2017. Two controlled environment tests were also conducted by treating seeds of CMV using alfalfa root aqueous extract. Seed germination and seedling height of CMV were significantly reduced in aqueous extract. In field, establishment of CMV in a mixture containing alfalfa was reduced, and CMV dry matter proportion in the mixture increased only 3.5% over three years. Increasing CMV seeding rate did not increase its DM percent in the mixtures, indicating a high allelopathic effect of alfalfa. Forage DM yield of all mixtures was linearly correlated to the proportion of alfalfa, and adding hybrid brome did not increase the DM yield. Forage DM yield was higher for the three-cut than the two-cut treatments for CMV-alfalfa mixtures, but there was no difference between the cutting frequency for CMV-alfalfa- hybrid brome mixtures. Fiber concentrations decreased linearly with increased CMV seeding rate in the mixtures. This study showed CMV establishment in alfalfa mixtures was reduced in a same row seeding, and the allelopathic effect was not reduced by lower alfalfa seeding rates or adding a grass.

Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Holt ◽  
P. G. Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Russian Wildrye ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Forage Yields

Forage grasses need to be evaluated in pasture trials in the Great Plains region of North America. The objective of this study was to compare four grass–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for productivity and persistence when grazed during spring and summer. The grasses were Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus [Trin.] Pilger), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia [Host] Nevski), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys junceus [Fisch.] Nevski), with grass rows seeded perpendicular to the alfalfa rows. Two sites, 4 km apart, were grazed with yearling beef cattle from 1987 to 1993. Forage yield differed among grass treatments in 4 of 5 years, but differences were inconsistent over time. Five-year mean forage yields and total livestock production were not significantly different among the four grasses. Mean annual forage yields ranged from 800 to 8170 kg ha−1 and were related to the amount of growing season (April–August) precipitation. Carrying capacity ranged from 35 steer grazing days per hectare in 1992 to 176 in 1991. Grasses in the mixtures did have a significant effect on the grass–alfalfa ratio and on ground cover. Alfalfa content was highest when grown with Altai wildrye and lowest when grown with Russian wildrye. Percentage of ground cover by the grass plus alfalfa increased from an average of 3.8% in 1987 to 16.1% at one site and 31.9% at the second site by 1993. Russian wildrye contained the least alfalfa and weeds after 7 yr. Intermediate wheatgrass and Altai wildrye did not compete with invading weeds at one site, or with alfalfa at the other, and should not be recommended for spring–summer pastures in semiarid regions. Meadow bromegrass maintained a balance of grass and alfalfa and further research should confirm its persistence in semiarid climates. Key words: Leymus angustus, Elytrigia intermedia, Bromus riparius, Psathyrostachys junceus, Medicago sativa, grazing with cattle

Mixed papermill residues affect yield, nutritive value and nutrient use of a grass-alfalfa sward

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Arafoui ◽  
R R Simard ◽  
G. Belanger ◽  
M R Laverdiere ◽  
R. Chabot
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Nitrogen Concentration ◽  
Relative Yield ◽  
Mineral Fertilizer ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Optimum Level ◽  
N Nutrition ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Mixed papermill residues (MPR) can improve soil quality, but their impact on forage yield and quality is not well documented. Three MPRwere applied to mixed grass-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) sward in 1997 and 1998 at near 100, 200 and 400 kg N ha-1 and were compared to calcic ammonium nitrate (CAN) at 0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha-1 on a Bedford clay loam (Humic Gleysol). The MPR and CAN induced a significant linear increase in forage DM yield and relative yield (RY). The sward response to MPR addition in 1997 was related to the MPR C:NH4+ ratio. MPR and CAN increased the forage NDF concentration in 1998, but there was no effect in 1997. Nitrogen concentration in forage tissues was increased by MPR and CANinputs in 1997, but was decreased in 1998. In all treatments, NO3− tended to accumulate in forage tissues when the N nutrition index (INN) exceeded the optimum level. Forage nutritive value from the MPR was comparable to CAN.The results of this study suggest that MPR can be an efficient N source for grass-alfalfa swards on fine-textured soils. Key words: Acid detergent fiber, forage, grass, Medicago sativa L., mineral fertilizer, neutral detergent fiber, papermill residues

Seasonal changes in yield and nutritional quality of cicer milkvetch and alfalfa in northeastern Saskatchewan

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Loeppky ◽  
M. R. Hiltz ◽  
S. Bittman ◽  
B. Frick
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Protein Digestibility ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Plant Maturity ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) is a winter hardy, non-bloating forage legume. In southern Alberta and Montana, cicer milkvetch retains its leaves longer and maintains forage quality later in the season than alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Consequently, it has the potential to provide nutritious forage in the fall, at a time when pasture productivity and quality is limited, particularly in northern areas. The objectives of this study were (i) to compare the yield and quality of monocultures of cicer milkvetch and alfalfa over the growing season and (ii) to evaluate the long-term productivity of cicer milkvetch under Parkland conditions. Studies were initiated in Melfort, Saskatchewan in 1986 and 1987, and subplots were harvested monthly during the growing season in the 2nd to 6th years. Cicer milkvetch peak yields were similar to or higher than alfalfa in 7 out of 10 harvest years. Forage yield of alfalfa was generally higher than that of cicer milkvetch in early season harvests, but cicer milkvetch had similar or higher yields later in the season. As the growing season progressed alfalfa declined in leafiness and in in vitro dry matter digestibility whereas corresponding values for cicer milkvetch were higher than those for alfalfa in all harvests. The protein content of both legumes was similar for all harvests, declining with plant maturity. Cicer milkvetch maintained its production similar to alfalfa over the 6-yr period studied. Key words: Cicer milkvetch, Astragalus cicer L., Medicago sativa L., leaf retention, protein, digestibility

scholarly journals Harvest Date Effect on Forage Yield, Botanical Composition, and Nutritive Value of Novel Legume-Grass Mixtures

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2184
Author(s):  
Samuel Peprah ◽  
Enkhjargal Darambazar ◽  
Bill Biligetu ◽  
Alan D. Iwaasa ◽  
Kathy Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Astragalus Cicer ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

The potential for novel forage mixtures to address reduced herbage for late season grazing was investigated. Forage legumes, sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) (SF) cvs. AC Mountainview, Shoshone, and Nova (MountainSF, ShoshoneSF, and NovaSF), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) cv. AC Veldt (CMV), Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis L.) cv. Great Plains (CaMV), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. AC Yellowhead (ALF) were evaluated in binary mixtures with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) cv. Admiral (MBG), hybrid bromegrass (B. riparius × B. inermis Leyss.) cv. AC Success (HBG) and Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys junceus (Fisch.) Nevski.] cv. Tom (RWR) for yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value on July and September harvest dates at Saskatoon and Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada from 2016 to 2018. Hybrid bromegrass-legume mixture produced 16–38% greater forage compared to RWR-legume (7.5 vs. 5.6 Mg ha−1 in July and 6.1 vs. 5.1 Mg ha−1 in September at Saskatoon, and 3.2 vs. 2.0 Mg ha−1 in July at Swift Current). MountainSF and ALF had the greatest legume contribution to total yield at July harvest at Swift Current (67.7 ± 3.2%) and Saskatoon (62.1 ± 2.1%), respectively, while CaMV had lowest composition at Swift Current (20.2 ± 2.5%) and Saskatoon (12.6 ± 3.5%). The CMV and ALF-grass mixtures at Saskatoon and legume-RWR mixtures at both sites in July had greatest CP content. The July harvest had greatest yield, legume content and nutritive value compared to the September harvest at both sites. Study results suggest if yield is the objective, then either ALF or CMV with HBG may be considered. If nutritive value is the goal, any legume with RWR is an option. Finally, ALF or CMV in mixture with either HBG or RWR could be summer or fall stockpile forage in the Northern Great Plains of western Canada.

scholarly journals How Does Sowing Rate Affect Plant and Stem Density, Forage Yield, and Nutritive Value in Glyphosate-Tolerant Alfalfa?

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisol Berti ◽  
Dulan Samarappuli
Keyword(s):  
North Dakota ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Rate Maximum ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
The Relationship

The recommended sowing rate of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is about 10 kg pure live seed ha−1, but it is debated if increasing the sowing rate enhances forage yield and quality in the sowing year. This study was conducted to: (i) determine the optimal sowing rate to maximize forage yield; and (ii) determine the relationship between plant and stem density with forage yield and nutritive value. Experiments were conducted at three sites in North Dakota between 2013 and 2016. Six sowing rates [1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kg ha−1 pure live seed (PLS)] were evaluated. Results indicated that total forage yield in the sowing year was lower only with the lowest sowing rate. Maximum total forage yield in the sowing, first, second, and third production years was obtained with 73, 52, 37, and 36 plants m−2 and 575, 495, 435, and 427 stems m−2, respectively. In the sowing and first production year, both plant and stem density predicted forage yield similarly. In older stands, stem density predicted forage yield slightly better. Forage nutritive value was similar among sowing rates indicating an increase in sowing rate does not enhance forage nutritive value. In conclusion, increasing the sowing rate above the recommended rate (10 kg PLS ha−1) does not increase forage yield or quality.

scholarly journals Irrigation Timing as a Practice of Effective Weed Management in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crop

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kanatas ◽  
Ioannis Gazoulis ◽  
Ilias Travlos
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Chenopodium Album ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Irrigation is an agronomic practice of major importance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), especially in the semiarid environments of Southern Europe. Field experimentation was conducted in Western Greece (2016–2018) to evaluate the effects of irrigation timing on weed presence, alfalfa yield performance, and forage quality. In a randomized complete block design (four replications), two cultivars (“Ypati 84” and “Hyliki”) were the main plots, while three irrigation timings were the subplots (split-plot). The irrigation timings were IT-1, IT-2, and IT-3, denoting irrigation 1 week before harvest, 1 week after harvest, and 2 weeks after harvest, respectively. IT-1 reduced Solanum nigrum L. density by 54% and 79% as compared to IT-3 and IT-2, respectively. Chenopodium album L. density was the highest under IT-2. IT-3 resulted in 41% lower Amaranthus retroflexus L. density in comparison to IT-2, while the lowest values were observed under IT-1. Stand density and stems·plant−1 varied between years (p ≤ 0.05). Mass·stem−1 and alfalfa forage yield were affected by the irrigation timings (p ≤ 0.001). Total weed density and forage yield were negatively correlated in both the second (R2 = 87.013%) and the fourth (R2 = 82.691%) harvests. IT-1 and IT-3 increased forage yield, leaf per stem ratio, and crude protein as compared to IT-2. Further research is required to utilize the use of cultural practices for weed management in perennial forages under different soil and climatic conditions.

Replacing synthetic N with clovers or alfalfa in bermudagrass pastures. 1. Herbage mass and pasture carrying capacity

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 539 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Beck ◽  
T. Hess ◽  
D. Hubbell ◽  
M. S. Gadberry ◽  
J. Jennings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Fertilisation Rate ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Trifolium Repens L

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including alfalfa (ALF, Medicago sativa L.) or a combination of white (Trifolium repens L.) and red (Trifolium pretense L.) clovers (CLVR) inter-seeded into bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.) on herbage nutritive value compared with monocultures of bermudagrass fertilised with 0 (0N), 56 (56N), or 112 (112N) kg nitrogen (N)/ha over four grazing seasons. In autumn, at the end of the fourth year and in the spring before the fifth grazing season, alfalfa and clover plants were killed and the carryover N benefit of CLVR or ALF was compared with N fertilisation rates during the fifth year. Across years, N fertilisation rate increased herbage mass and carrying capacity linearly; whereas herbage production from CLVR and ALF swards was equivalent to 56N, were greater than 0N and less than 112N. Herbage mass in CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass swards in the spring and did not differ from fertilised bermudagrass in the early summer. In late summer herbage accumulation of CLVR and ALF swards appeared to decrease, limiting the herbage mass in the legume pastures compared with 56N and 112N. Carrying capacity of CLVR and ALF swards was greater than fertilised bermudagrass in the spring and early summer, but did not differ from fertilised swards in the late summer. The N benefit of including legumes in bermudagrass swards can alleviate the reliance on synthetic N fertilisation with little overall effect on pasture carrying capacity.

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