Diurnal Variation in Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) Dry Matter Yield and Overnight Losses in Harvested Alfalfa Forage 1

1973 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Knapp ◽  
D. A. Holt ◽  
V. L. Lechtenberg ◽  
L. R. Vough
1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-881
Author(s):  
J. Waddington ◽  
H. Steppuhn

Soil water limits alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth in semi-arid southwest Saskatchewan. The dry matter yields of three alfalfa varieties with contrasting growth habits were compared when grown between tall wheatgrass [Thinopyrum ponticum (Podp.) Barkworth & D.H. Dewey] windbreaks spaced on 15-m centres, and when grown without windbreaks. Over a 7-yr period, and including the area occupied by the windbreaks, alfalfa yields were 2110 kg ha−1 dry matter on average. This was 40% more dry matter than from alfalfa grown outside the windbreaks. There were no consistent yield differences between the three varieties, but Beaver, a branch-rooted variety, produced more dry matter than Angus, a tap-rooted variety with fast regrowth potential, and Rangelander, a creeping-rooted variety, in the years when differences reached significance, and on average over the 7-yr period. Alfalfa regrowth was sufficient for a second cut in 3 of 7 yr. Cultivating to a depth of 35 cm with a Paraplow subsoiler prior to seeding had no effect on hay yields. Key words:Medicago sativa, dry matter yield, snow management


2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 493 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. G. Pembleton ◽  
R. S. Smith ◽  
R. P. Rawnsley ◽  
D. J. Donaghy ◽  
A. W. Humphries

Genotype by environmental interactions in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) present considerable challenges when selecting an appropriate cultivar for a particular location and farming system. Data on the yield and persistence of a range of lucerne cultivars and experimental lines grown in two Tasmanian environments, Forth (41.20°S, 146.27°E, Red Ferrosol soil, under cutting with high fertiliser inputs, i.e. a high yield potential environment) and Cranbook (42.00°S, 148.03°E, Red Ferrosol soil, under grazing with low fertiliser inputs, i.e. a low yield potential environment) were examined using winter activity class as the experimental factor. At Forth, winter-dormant lucernes were the lowest yielding genotypes. In contrast, at Cranbrook, highly winter-active genotypes had lower plant persistence and dry matter yield than winter-dormant genotypes. Modified joint linear regression analysis showed that in a cool temperate climate, winter-dormant genotypes are more suited to a low yield potential environment, whereas highly winter-active genotypes are adapted to a high yield potential environment. Both the semi-winter-dormant and the winter-active genotypes were adapted to all environments. The dry matter yield of winter-dormant and highly winter-active genotypes was most sensitive to environmental conditions in winter and spring, while performance of all cultivars and experimental lines was most stable over summer.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 1049-1052
Author(s):  
J. A. IVANY

Addition of either of the antidotes R-25788 (N,N-diallyl-2, 2-dichloroacetamide) or R-29148 (2,2,5-trimethyl-N-dichloroacetyloxazolidine) to EPTC (S-ethyl dipropylthiocarbamate) did not protect alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) from injury by the herbicide as reflected in dry matter yield.


Agricultura ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Miran Podvršnik ◽  
Anastazija Gselman

Abstract The field experiment aimed at determination of influence of autumn harvest on rhythm of the growth of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and yield quality of the first cut in the following year was carried out in Spodnji Gabernik (258 m above sea level, 46°15′54.94″ N and 15°34′6.05″ E), in the fourth growth year of the lucerne variety ‘Soča’. The experiment was designed as a randomized block in four replications. The individual treatments represented weekly autumn cuttings (1) 24/9/2014, (2) 01/10/2014, (3) 08/10/2014, (4) 15/10/2014 and (5) 22/10/2014. The paper presents data associated with the amount of lucerne dry matter yield (DMY) per treatment compared with the DMY of the first spring cut in the year 2015 (18/05/2015). The growth rhythm of lucerne in each treatment, which took place before the first cut in year 2015, was based on the measurements of the height of the plants. The yield quality was evaluated by NIRS method for determination of crude protein (CP), the net energy of lactation (NEL) and metabolic energy (ME) in dry samples regarding to DMY of each treatment. In autumn 2014, statistically significant higher dry matter yields were obtained in later harvested treatments (5 and 4). Similarly, in spring 2015 the trend of higher crop dry matter yield was observed in treatments harvested later in the autumn of 2014. However, the differences were not significant. Statistically significant differences between treatments were acquired within CPY, NELY and MEY. Before the first mowing, in spring 2015, statistically significant trend of higher plants was also detected in treatments with later cutting in 2014.


Author(s):  
Galina Stepanova

The article describes the main morphological and biological features of alfalfa varieties included in the State register of breeding achievements approved for use in the Central Chernozem zone of Russia. A total of 32 alfalfa varieties are included in the State register. This is 9 varieties of blue alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. Sativa) of domestic selection and 8 foreign, 11 varieties of variable alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. nothosubsp. varia (Martyn) Arcang.) domestic selection and 1 variety of foreign and 3 varieties of yellow alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. falcata (L.) Arcang.). It shows the average and maximum yield of varieties determined in the process of state variety testing, as well as independent evaluation in research institutions in the region. Varieties of blue alfalfa of domestic selection Kevsala, Elena, Satellite, Vavilovskaya Yubileynaya were the most productive. The average yield of dry matter of these varieties reaches 8.4–9.2 t/ha, the maximum — 15.3–17.7 t/ha. Alfalfa varieties Timbale and Galaxy were the most productive among foreign varieties: the average yield of dry matter was 8.1 and 8.3 t/ha, the maximum – 15.5 and 17.2 t/ha. Varieties of alfalfa variable Vitalina and Vela provided an average yield of dry matter of 7.6 and 9.0 t/ha, the maximum yield reached 15.4 and 18.1 t/ha.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Doohong Min ◽  
Iryna McDonald

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of planting alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with- and without cover crops on forage dry matter yield and nutritive values of alfalfa in Kansas, USA. In the first production year 2014, dry matter yield of mono-culture alfalfa appears to be compatible or even higher than planting with certain species of winter annual forages as a cover crop. Alfalfa planted with a combination of four different multi-species winter annual forages such as oats (Avena sativa L.), oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumL.), and turnip (Brassica rapa L.) had the highest dry matter yield of alfalfa in 2014.Dry matter yield of alfalfa in 2nd production year 2015 was similar to alfalfa + oats and alfalfa + oats + oilseed radish + annual ryegrass + turnip or significantly higher than alfalfa planted with annual ryegrass, oilseed radish, and turnip together. Based on two year of data in 2014 and 2015, the highest alfalfa yield occurred when alfalfa was planted with a combination of oats, oilseed radish, annual ryegrass, and turnip. The lowest dry matter yield of alfalfa occurred when alfalfa was planted with annual ryegrass.No significant differences in crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were found when comparing alfalfa monoculture with alfalfa + oats, alfalfa + oilseed radish, alfalfa + oats + oilseed radish + annual ryegrass + turnip, and alfalfa + turnip treatments. When considering both dry matter and nutritive values of alfalfa, planting alfalfa with cover crops appears to be compatible or better practice than planting alfalfa monoculture.


1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 941-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. MacLEOD ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
F. W. CALDER

The effects of early summer and fall cutting managements on two alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars were studied over a 3-year period. Removal of the first crop of Saranac and Narrangansett alfalfas at prebud stage, followed by two cuts at the early bloom stage before early September, and a late fall harvest on October 25, produced seasonal dry matter (DM) yields of 7.5–8.6 metric T/ha in the 1st year. Stand deterioration, however, was severe and by the 3rd year, practically all alfalfa had disappeared. Average percent crude protein (CP) in cut 1 was 17.7–21.9 and percent in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVD) 67.4–73.8. Removal of the first cut at bud stage with two subsequent harvests at the early bloom stage also allowed a total of three harvests before early September and resulted in seasonal DM yields of 8.6–8.8 in the 1st year. Although the survival of alfalfa was increased over the managements where cut 1 was at prebud stage, a considerable decrease of alfalfa was still observed in the 3rd year. Under this management, average CP in cut 1 was 15.8–16.3 and IVD 64.1–68.4. Harvesting the first crop at early to midbloom stage and the second crop at early bloom in early to mid-August, followed by third harvest in late October, resulted in good survival with seasonal DM yields of 6.1–10.6. Lower CP and IVD were recorded in cut 1 than in the more intensive managements. Under all managements, average CP in cuts 2 and 3 was 14.9–17.3 and 13.3–19.4, respectively. IVD was 54.5–60.7 in cut 2 and 56.0–64.4 in cut 3.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwarno Suwarno ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. P. McCaughey

A study was conducted to monitor nutrient and microbial count changes during wilting of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to varying degrees of maceration at mowing. Early bloom alfalfa was mowed with either a roller-conditioner (CONV) or a macerator set to deliver four degrees of maceration during alfalfa mowing: LIGHT, LIGHT+, SEVERE, and SEVERE+. Macerated alfalfa reached 80% dry matter in 9–11 h compared with alfalfa mowed by roller-conditioner, which required 54 h. The most rapid wilting rates were associated with LIGHT+, SEVERE, and SEVERE+ maceration treatments when alfalfa was not exposed to precipitation. The wilting coefficient in the first 24 h was increased by more than 100% for the SEVERE treatment compared with alfalfa mowed using a conventional roller-conditioner in alfalfa that was not exposed to precipitation. Precipitation at 1.5 h post-mowing increased wilting time by 8.3 h to achieve 45% DM, and by 17.5 to achieve 80% DM in the SEVERE+ maceration treatment relative to alfalfa from the same conditioning treatment that was not exposed to precipitation. Precipitation at 24 h post-mowing increased wilting time to reach 80% DM by 11 h and 21 h for the LIGHT and LIGHT+ maceration treatments relative to alfalfa of the same mowing treatments not exposed to precipitation. Maceration of alfalfa resulted in a 24.2 to 26.8 h shorter wilting time relative to the conventional roller-conditioner treatment when alfalfa was exposed to precipitation at 24 h post-mowing. SEVERE and SEVERE+ maceration treatments at mowing resulted in higher (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre levels post-wilting. Lactic acid bacteria populations on alfalfa tended to be higher with maceration within 1 h post-mowing (P < 0.10) and post-wilting (P < 0.08). Key words: Alfalfa, maceration, precipitation, wilting time, bacteria, nutrient profile, compressibility


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