Grazing tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) under continuous and rotational stocking systems in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult)

The continuing development of adapted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars that combine high yield, disease resistance, winterhardiness, and grazing tolerance is of great value to the beef cattle industry in western Canada. This study evaluated alternative management strategies and plant measurements for assessing the grazing tolerance of alfalfa cultivars over 3 yr. Seven hay-type, four pasture-type, and one dual-purpose (hay or graze) cultivars were established in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn.B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult). Stands were defoliated under continuous or rotational stocking with beef cattle (Bos taurus). Plants we reassessed for winterhardiness, percent alfalfa within row, percent alfalfa cover, basal area and species composition. Continuous stocking resulted in consistent and significant differences between cultivars, whether persistence was measured as percent alfalfa within row, percent cover and basal area, in both pure and mixed stands (P < 0.05). High correlations between measurement techniques (r = 0.74 to 0.99; P < 0.05) confirmed the value of alfalfa within row and alfalfa cover as time and labour efficient methods to evaluate grazing persistence. Competition between alfalfa and meadow bromegrass resulted in a significant confounding effect under rotational stocking (P < 0.05). Winter injury was identified as an important criteria to evaluate for grazing persistence. The most grazing-tolerant genotypes were selected for subsequent breeding efforts to combine winterhardiness, grazing tolerance, and high productivity. This research showed that grazing method, grass competition, and severe winter conditions strongly influence differential survival of alfalfa cultivars under grazing in western Canada. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing tolerance, grazing systems, Medicago sativa L., Medicago falcata L. Arcang, persistence

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Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a98-064 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 83-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

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

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Productivity, and composition of smooth and meadow bromegrass mixtures with alfalfa under frequent cutting management

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps96-129 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 76 (4) ◽

pp. 763-771 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

J. R. Pearen ◽

V. S. Baron

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Seasonal Distribution ◽

Bromus Inermis ◽

Stem Density ◽

Smooth Bromegrass ◽

Bromus Riparius ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Cutting Management ◽

Meadow Bromegrass ◽

Tiller Density

The value of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for pastures in central Alberta is limited by poor seasonal distribution of yield and low alfalfa persistence. Regrowth of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) exceeds that of smooth bromegrass. The effect of these grasses on yield, seasonal distribution and sward composition when grown in mixtures with alfalfa was evaluated. The DM yield of binary mixtures of Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass, or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa was examined under a four-cut system at three sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual yield was similar at all sites. Alfalfa cultivar did not consistently affect yield, but annual yield of meadow bromegrass-mixtures was 9 to 19% higher than mixture containing smooth bromegrass at Lacombe. Summer and fall production of meadow bromegrass mixtures was 18 to 53% and 40 to 69% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than smooth bromegrass mixtures. Tiller weight of smooth bromegrass equalled or exceeded that of meadow bromegrass, so superior regrowth of meadow bromegrass mixtures was due to higher tiller density. Over 3 yr, annual yield of the alfalfa component was similar in smooth bromegrass- and meadow bromegrass mixtures, but alfalfa yield decreased (P ≤ 0.0001) 43 to 70% due to dramatic declines in alfalfa stem density. Competition from the associated grass and frequent defoliation reduced alfalfa longevity. Key words: Smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis Leyss., alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., mixtures, pasture, sward structure

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Productivity and composition of bromegrass alfalfa mixtures for hay in the Aspen Parklands of western Canada

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps95-071 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 75 (2) ◽

pp. 429-436 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. R. Pearen ◽

V. S. Baron ◽

I. W. Cowan

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Western Canada ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Smooth Bromegrass ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Bromus Riparius ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Meadow Bromegrass ◽

Tiller Density

Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) - alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures is restricted by short growing seasons and poor legume persistence in the Aspen Parklands of western Canada. Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) has recently gained acceptance, but comparative information on smooth and meadow bromegrass in grass-alfalfa mixtures is unavailable. We examined DM yield of binary grass-legume mixtures containing either Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa under a two-cut hay-management system at four sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual DM yield was 40% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) at sites near Lacombe (7570 kg ha−1) than at Bluffton and Vegreville (5420 kg ha−1). Dry matter yield of smooth bromegrass mixtures (8020 kg ha−1) was 20% higher (P ≤ 0.01) than that of meadow bromegrass mixtures (6690 kg ha−1) near Lacombe. Alfalfa DM yield was 2.1 times higher at Bluffton and Vegreville (2770 kg ha−1) than near Lacombe (1300 kg ha−1). Near Lacombe, alfalfa regrowth was suppressed (P ≤ 0.0001) by smooth bromegrass, which had 2.3 times larger (P < 0.001) tillers than meadow bromegrass at first cut. At Bluffton and Vegreville, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures equalled or exceeded (P ≤ 0.05) that of smooth bromegrass mixtures. Although first-cut tiller weight of smooth bromegrass was 73% more (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of meadow bromegrass at Bluffton and Vegreville, tiller density of meadow bromegrass was 1.7 times greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than that of smooth bromegrass. Results indicate that smooth bromegrass mixtures were superior to meadow bromegrass mixtures for hay production at moist fertile locations, despite reduced alfalfa persistence. At drier or less fertile sites, however, DM yield of meadow bromegrass mixtures was higher than that of smooth bromegrass mixtures when weather conditions for regrowth were favourable. Key words: Bromegrass-alfalfa mixtures, hay, parklands

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

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2021-0006 ◽

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.

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Ingestive behaviour of beef cattle grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)+

Grass and Forage Science ◽

10.1111/j.1365-2494.1988.tb01879.x ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 121-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

C. T. DOUGHERTY ◽

E. M. SMITH ◽

N. W. BRADLEY ◽

T. D. A. FORBES ◽

P. L. CORNELIUS ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Cattle Grazing ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Ingestive Behaviour

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An overview of the role of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in pastoral agriculture

Crop and Pasture Science ◽

10.1071/cp12127 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 63 (9) ◽

pp. 734 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

J. H. Bouton

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Complex Traits ◽

Production Systems ◽

Bioenergy Feedstock ◽

Continue Development ◽

Breeding Programs ◽

Grazing Tolerance ◽

History Of ◽

Medicago Sativa L

Pastoral agriculture is unique among the world’s agricultural production systems. Lucerne (also known as alfalfa), Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa, has a long history of playing a very important role in pastoral agriculture. That role is expanding outside traditional hay and grazing production systems into sprouts for salads, nutritional supplements, and bioenergy feedstock. It is also the forage legume of choice for delivery of new traits via biotechnologies. The use of biotechnologies in lucerne improvement will cause re-examination of research methods and will require unique collaborations that are both interdisciplinary and even cross-institutional. The Consortium for Alfalfa Improvement (CAI) is discussed as a model for this type of collaboration. Breeding programs will continue development of cultivars with the proper fall (autumn) dormancy, a broad genetic base for pest resistance, increased local adaptation, persistence, and yield, while also adding new complex traits to these base traits. Increasing nutritional quality via down-regulation of lignin genes and increasing persistence via grazing tolerance, drought tolerance, and tolerance to acid, aluminium-toxic soils are discussed as examples of the potential impacts and challenges surrounding incorporation of complex traits. However, it is the potential for lucerne to become a major part of tropical or subtropical production systems or even an important adjunct to overcome deficiencies in the widely used perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) temperate systems that begs further attention.

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EFFECTS OF INITIAL HARVEST DATE ON PRODUCTIVITY AND PERSISTENCE OF ALFALFA AND BROMEGRASS

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps72-130 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 52 (5) ◽

pp. 801-804 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. D. McELGUNN ◽

D. H. HEINRICHS ◽

R. ASHFORD

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Fixation ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Taraxacum Officinale ◽

Bromus Inermis ◽

Harvest Date ◽

Mixed Stands ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Made In

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), and a mixture of the two were grown on irrigated land and subjected to six defoliation schedules in which the initial cutting date varied in time. Delaying the initial defoliation until mid-June resulted in greatest seasonal yield even though the last cutting in this schedule was made in the 1st week of September, usually considered somewhat late for cutting in Saskatchewan. Nitrogen at the rate of 112 kg/ha doubled the yield of bromegrass but did not increase the yield of the alfalfa–bromegrass mixture, indicating that nitrogen fixation was adequate for the crop. Alfalfa and the alfalfa–bromegrass mixtures yielded about 50% more forage than the N-fertilized bromegrass and three times as much as unfertilized bromegrass. At the end of the experiment, dandelions (Taraxacum officinale Weber) had invaded pure stands of alfalfa but not mixed stands of alfalfa and bromegrass.

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Effect of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) density on seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1071/ar99054 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 51 (2) ◽

pp. 267 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

B. S. Dear ◽

P. S. Cocks ◽

A. D. Swan ◽

E. C. Wolfe ◽

L. M. Ayre

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Seed Yield ◽

Seed Bank ◽

Seed Set ◽

Basal Area ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Trifolium Subterraneum ◽

Phalaris Aquatica ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Clover Seed

A mixture of 3 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) cultivars (cvv. Goulburn, Seaton Park, and Dalkeith) was grown with 5–40 plants/m2 of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) for 3 years at Wagga Wagga, NSW (147°21´E, 35°03´S). Clover seed yield was assessed each year, the number of regenerating clover seedlings was counted, herbage yield of clover and the perennials was measured, and the change in perennial density recorded. The influence of perennials on water availability in spring and light during clover seed set was also examined. The impact of perennial density on clover was assessed using regression analyses. In each of the 3 years, subterranean clover seed yield was negatively related to perennial density, but phalaris suppressed clover seed yield more than equivalent densities of lucerne in 2 of the years. Clover seed yield was positively related (R2 = 0.30–0.85) to clover biomass in spring in all 3 years (except for subterranean clover in phalaris in 1994) and to the proportion of total photosynthetically active radiation reaching the clover canopy beneath the perennial (R2 = 0.33–0.83) in 2 of the 3 years. There was a positive relationship between clover seedling regeneration in autumn and size of the summer seed bank in both years in lucerne (R2 = 0.40–0.76) and in 1 year in phalaris (R2 = 0.76) and a negative association between perennial density and clover seedling regeneration. The rate at which the surface profile (0–37 cm) dried in spring was independent of phalaris and lucerne density over the 3 years and did not differ from that of pure clover. The late season clover cultivar, Goulburn, constituted between 57% and 79% of the seed bank following seed set, substantially more than the earlier flowering cultivars, Seaton Park and Dalkeith. Neither perennial density nor species changed the relative competitiveness of the 3 cultivars. The high seed yield of Goulburn and the lack of a perennial-induced change in surface soil water in spring suggest that growing perennials in association with subterranean clover does not increase the level of moisture stress during clover seed set. The good performance of Goulburn is attributed to superior competitive ability for light in late spring. The basal area occupied by lucerne and phalaris increased with perennial density in each of the first 2 years. However, in the third year, phalaris basal area was similar at all densities. The findings suggest that sowing low densities of lucerne should assist in promoting seed yield and regeneration of subterranean clover. Management of phalaris, which has the capacity to substantially increase plant size at low densities, may require additional strategies such as more frequent grazing in spring.

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Comparison of six zero-till seed drill openers for establishment and persistence of sod-seeded alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in a cool-season perennial grass pasture

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.1139/cjps-2020-0299 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Paul G. Jefferson ◽

Nathan Gregg ◽

Les Hill ◽

H.A. (Bart) Lardner

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Seedling Establishment ◽

Plant Cover ◽

Perennial Grass ◽

Black Soil ◽

Livestock Grazing ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Western Canada ◽

Soil Zone ◽

Medicago Sativa L

Zero-till seed drills are readily available for crop seeding in the prairie region of western Canada but have not been evaluated for sod-seeding in perennial forage. Sod-seeding a legume, such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), into the existing perennial grass vegetation improves forage yield and quality for ruminant livestock grazing and production. Suppression of the existing vegetation with herbicide has been reported to increase alfalfa seedling establishment. We evaluated six commercially available zero-till seed drill openers by sod-seeding alfalfa into a crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.] pasture with or without glyphosate suppression of the existing vegetation in Lanigan Saskatchewan. Alfalfa seedling establishment (52.2 vs. 21.9 seedlings m−1 ± 6.8), alfalfa composition (42.5% vs. 0.2% ± 8.6), and alfalfa yield (1105 kg·ha−1 vs. 12 kg·ha−1 ± 206) in 2011 were increased by the application of herbicide. Seed drill openers performed similarly for all three variables. Nine years later, in June 2020, there was greater alfalfa composition (13.3% vs. 0% ± 2.3) and forage yield (1325 vs. 957 kg·ha−1 ± 127) in the sod-seeded plots than in the unseeded controls but the alfalfa plant cover, alfalfa composition, alfalfa yield and forage yield were similar among seed drill openers. There was also no difference in these variables due to herbicide application nine years prior. Livestock producers can utilize currently available zero-till seeding equipment for sod-seeding alfalfa to rejuvenate grass pastures in the thin Black soil zone of western Canada with the expectation of persistence of alfalfa for nine years.

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