EFFECTS OF MANAGEMENT ON THE YIELD, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, AND PERSISTENCE OF MEDICAGO SATIVA L.
Abstract
Apollo variety of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., was grown and four intervals between cuts (4, 5, 6 or 7 weeks) were used at two initial cutting dates (11 May and 1 June) to study the effects of these different cutting frequencies (6, 5, 4 and 4 respectively) on the crop performance. The dry matter yield (DM), crude protein yield (CP), root total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC), crop longevity or persistence and mineral composition were determined for each of the three years of the experiment. The results indicated that frequently cut alfalfa had lower DM, higher CP, lower TNC levels, and thinner stands than those with greater intervals between cuts. However, the stand with the least cutting frequency, though higher in DM than those with higher cutting frequencies, was not the best for forage quality which depends more on CP than on DM. These data indicate livestock producers, such as dairy farmers, who want high quality alfalfa hay or silage, in terms of CP, will want to harvest their alfalfa more frequently than the livestock producer, for example, a beef cow herd, whose animals do not require forage with high CP concentration. Significant interactions were often found between cutting date and cutting frequency. Carbohydrate levels in December were found to be higher (a range of 34.50-42.96%) than the TNC level in April (a range of 22.58-25.27%) indicating storage functions of roots in December, and mobilization for regrowth in the spring. Mineral analyses indicated sufficiency levels of P, K, and B in all samples, but insufficiencies were observed for Mg and especially Ca. No definite effects of cutting frequency on mineral composition was observed.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Agronomy
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