scholarly journals Nitrogen Fixation and Resource Partitioning in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Cicer Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) and Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) Using 15N Enrichment under Controlled Environment Conditions

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1438
Author(s):  
Gazali Issah ◽  
Jeff J. Schoenau ◽  
Herbert A. Lardner ◽  
J. Diane Knight
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Measured Parameter ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Onobrychis Viciifolia ◽  
C And N ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Availability of nitrogen (N) limits pasture production. Inclusion of legumes into grass pastures can provide an alternative N source through biological N2 fixation (BNF), and enhance retention and cycling of soil C and N. Despite the use of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in grass-legume pastures to improve forage quality, relative BNF potentials and resource partitioning are unknown. We quantified BNF using 15N isotope dilution and estimated resource partitioning in alfalfa, two cultivars of cicer milkvetch and two cultivars of sainfoin under controlled conditions. Percentage of nitrogen derived from atmosphere followed the order alfalfa (92%) > cicer milkvetch (87%) > sainfoin (81%); corresponding to estimated N contributions of 200, 128 and 65 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively, based on total herbage. Root dry matter was 24% to 36% greater than shoot dry matter in all of the legumes, providing substantial below-ground C and N. Cultivars of the same species did not differ in any measured parameter (p > 0.05). Despite the lower BNF in cicer milkvetch and sainfoin compared to alfalfa, their use may not negatively affect stand productivity and C storage.

PRODUCTIVITY OF ALFALFA, SAINFOIN, AND CICER MILKVETCH ON SUBIRRIGATED LAND WHEN GRAZED BY SHEEP

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. SMOLIAK ◽  
M. R. HANNA
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Agropyron Desertorum ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Rambler alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Eski sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) and cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.), alone and in mixture with Nordan crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.), were grazed by sheep over a 5-yr period. The replicates, or paddocks, were grazed in succession and the productivity, palatability, and persistence of the legumes was determined. When grown alone, sainfoin and alfalfa produced similar amounts of dry matter and both outyielded cicer milkvetch. There were no apparent differences in palatability of the legumes although the sheep were observed to graze sainfoin first, then alfalfa, and finally cicer milkvetch. Because alfalfa, sainfoin, and cicer milkvetch differ from one another in growth pattern, variations in grazing management of the three legumes may be necessary.

ALFALFA VARIETIES ZONED IN THE CENTRAL CHERNOZEM ZONE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Stepanova
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
The State ◽  
Average Yield ◽  
State Register ◽  
Independent Evaluation ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Alfalfa Varieties ◽  
Central Chernozem

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.

EFFECTS OF EARLY SUMMER AND FALL CUTTING MANAGEMENT ON DRY MATTER YIELDS, DIGESTIBILITY, CRUDE PROTEIN, AND SURVIVAL OF SARANAC AND NARRAGANSETT ALFALFAS

1972 ◽  
Vol 52 (6) ◽  
pp. 941-948 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. MacLEOD ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
F. W. CALDER
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Good Survival ◽  
Considerable Decrease ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Management

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.

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.

Comparative characteristics during wilting for alfalfa conditioned by maceration or by a conventional roller-conditioner

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suwarno Suwarno ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
W. P. McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Microbial Count ◽  
Nutrient Profile ◽  
Conditioning Treatment ◽  
Acid Detergent Fibre ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

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

Shoot growth on lucerne plants cut at different heights

1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
GJ Leach
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Shoot Growth ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Extension Growth ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Height ◽  
Two Stages

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) plants grown to two stages of maturity were cut at 2, 5, or 10 cm above the crown. In addition, the leaf on the stubble and on basal shoots was either removed or retained. The change in the number and size of the regrowth shoots growing from different heights above the crown, and the total yield of dry matter, were observed for 4 weeks after cutting. Nearly all the regrowth shoots arose from very near to the crown, either on the crown itself or from within the first 2 cm above it, so that cutting at higher levels increased shoot numbers only slightly. Also most of the shoots arising from near the crown resumed extension growth earlier, and therefore grew larger, than the shoots arising from higher positions. In general the growth of shoots from one stubble segment was not influenced by whether segments were still present above. Increasing the cutting height above 2 cm consequently produced little effect on the yield of dry matter 2 and 4 weeks after cutting. Retaining stubble leaf and basal shoot leaf increased the shoot yield 2 and 4 weeks later, because the basal shoots resuming growth first grew larger than those on plants from which leaves were removed. The effect of retaining leaves was independent of the stage of maturity when the plants were cut and of the cutting height.

PASTURE PRODUCTIVITY OF TWO GRASS–ALFALFA MIXTURES IN NORTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN

1965 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Cooke ◽  
S. E. Beacom ◽  
W. K. Dawley
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Beef Production ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Standard Mixture ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Annual Application ◽  
Average Yearly Increase

Two grass–alfalfa mixtures were compared for seven consecutive years when continuously and when rotationally grazed by yearling Hereford steers. The productivity of rotationally grazed pastures as affected by annual application of fertilizers was also determined. Intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) compared favorably with the standard mixture of bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) and alfalfa for pasture purposes. Production of dry matter ranged from approximately 2.5 to 0.5 tons per acre in the first and seventh year respectively. Precipitation in these two years was 20.7 and 7.7 in. respectively. Rotational grazing did not increase beef production. Fertilization of bromegrass–alfalfa with 20 lb of N per acre and with 20 lb of N + 40 lb of P2O5 per acre resulted in average yearly increase of 18 and 32 lb of beef per acre respectively. Fertilization of intermediate wheatgrass– alfalfa resulted in comparable increase of 1 and 26 lb of beef per acre respectively.

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