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Alfalfa Persistence under Infrequent Cutting

1997; Wiley; Volume: 10; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Catalão

10.2134/jpa1997.0558

2689-4114

Craig C. Sheaffer, Jane Grimsbo Jewett, D. K. Barnes, W. E. Lueschen, Doug Swanson, R. Matthison,

Soil Mechanics and Vehicle Dynamics

Journal of Production AgricultureVolume 10, Issue 4 p. 558-561 Research Alfalfa Persistence under Infrequent Cutting C. C. Sheaffer, Corresponding Author C. C. Sheaffer [email protected] Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108 Corresponding author ([email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorJ. Grimsbo Jewett, J. Grimsbo Jewett Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108Search for more papers by this authorD. K. Barnes, D. K. Barnes USDA-ARS, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108Search for more papers by this authorW. E. Lueschen, W. E. Lueschen Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this authorD. R. Swanson, D. R. Swanson Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this authorR. Matthison, R. Matthison North Central Exp. Stn., Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this author C. C. Sheaffer, Corresponding Author C. C. Sheaffer [email protected] Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108 Corresponding author ([email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorJ. Grimsbo Jewett, J. Grimsbo Jewett Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108Search for more papers by this authorD. K. Barnes, D. K. Barnes USDA-ARS, 411 Borlaug Hall, Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, 55108Search for more papers by this authorW. E. Lueschen, W. E. Lueschen Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this authorD. R. Swanson, D. R. Swanson Dep. of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this authorR. Matthison, R. Matthison North Central Exp. Stn., Grand Rapids, MN, 55744Search for more papers by this author First published: 19 April 2013 https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1997.0558Citations: 2 Joint contribution of the Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn. and the USDA-ARS Sci. J. Series. Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn. Paper no. 971130001. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars have been developed for modern forage production systems with three or four cuts per year. Little is known about persistence of alfalfa cultivars in unharvested systems such as Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields. Our objective was to determine the stand persistence of alfalfa cultivars that were not harvested or harvested once per year. Twenty-three alfalfa cultivars representing a range of fall dormancy and disease resistance were established in binary mixture with timothy (Phleum pratense L.) at Becker, Grand Rapids, Morns, Rosemount, and Waseca, MN. Cutting treatments, which included a single cut per year (about 1 August) or no cutting were applied for 3 yr. Cutting treatment effects at Rosemount, Becker, Grand Rapids, and Waseca suggest that annual cutting of alfalfa-grass mixtures on CRP land would enhance alfalfa persistence, but stand survival of many cultivars was lower than that normally observed in cultivar trial plots cut three or four times per year. At Becker and Morris, fall dormancy was a good predictor of stand survival. There was no relationship between stand survival and disease resistance of cultivars. Annual mowing should be considered as a tool for maintaining alfalfa in CRP fields at some locations, but cultivars designed for the CRP program, which normally does not allow cutting, are needed. Research Question The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) was designed to reduce soil erosion and commodity surpluses, and improve wildlife habitat. Alfalfa-perennial grass mixtures were frequently planted on CRP lands and the program allowed cutting only for weed control or for emergency purposes. Our research determined the persistence of alfalfa cultivars that were not harvested or harvested once per year. Literature Summary In alfalfa-grass mixtures, grasses tend to dominate mixtures when mixtures are not harvested or seldom harvested. When alfalfa is not cut, it undergoes one or more cycles per season of regrowth from crown buds. This regrowth lodges and provides a humid environment which can promote the growth of pathogens. In addition, accumulation of lodged, decaying stems may provide inoculum for diseases. The adaptation of alfalfa cultivars with varying disease resistance and winderhardiness to a CRP system is unknown. Study Description Twenty-three alfalfa cultivars representing a range in fall growth score and disease resistance were established in mixture with timothy at five locations in Minnesota. Fall growth score of the cultivars ranged from 3.6 (most fall growth) to 8.0 (least fall growth). Cutting treatments included a single cut per year (about 1 August) with herbage removed from plots, or no cutting. Stand persistence was evaluated 3 yr after establishment when stand density had declined significantly. Applied Questions Did alfalfa cultivar persistence differ under simulated CRP treatment? Alfalfa cultivars differed in stand persistence and had lower persistence than observed in cultivar trial plots of a similar age which are cut three or four times per year. There was a positive relationship between fall growth score and stand survival but fall growth score did not explain all of the variation in cultivar performance. Alfalfa cultivars with improved persistence for the CRP program are needed. Does a single cut improve persistence of alfalfa? At four of five locations, a single cut improved alfalfa persistence compared with no cutting (Table 1). These results suggest that, in many areas, policies prohibiting regular cutting and removal of forage from CRP fields containing alfalfa should be modified to allow cutting. Table 1. Average stand survival percentages across 23 alfalfa cultivars subjected to single-cut or no-cut treatments at Becker, Grand Rapids, Morris, Rosemount, and Waseca, MN. Location Single-cut No-cut ----------%---------- Becker† 13.6 ±2.6 4.9 ± 1.0 Grand Rapids† 25.1±1.5 8.2 ± 0.6 Morris† 14.7±2.0 24.0 ± 2.8 Rosemount 42.0 ± 3.7 36.0 ±3.5 Waseca† 31.2±3.1 23.7 ± 2.4 † Significant effect of cutting treatment in the analysis of variance for this location. References Barnes, D.K., Martin, N.P. 1991. Forage crops. In L.A. Etkin (ed.) Varietal trials of selected farm crops. Minnesota Agric. Exp. Stn. Rep. 221-1991 Google Scholar Barnes, D.K., Smith, D.M., Stacker, R.E., Elling, L.J. 1978. Fall dormancy in alfalfa: A valuable prediction tool. 34, In D.K. Barnes (ed.) Rep. of the 26th Alfalfa Improvement Conf. Brookings, SD, 6-8 June USDA-SEA, St. Paul, MN. Google Scholar Emery, K.M., English, J.T. 1994. Development of foliar diseases of alfalfa in relation to microclimate, host growth, and fertility. 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SAS user's guide: Statistics. 5th SAS Inst., Cary, NC. Google Scholar Sheaffer, C.C., Barnes, D.K., Warnes, D.D., Lueschen, W.E., Ford, H.J., Swanson, D.R. 1992. Seeding-year cutting affects winter survival and its association with fall growth score in alfalfa. Crop Sci. 32: 225–231. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1992.0011183X003200010046x, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=agrocropsoil&KeyUT=A1992HE70400045&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL&UsrCustomerID=523bbf5d2a868de7bbaeea0bc70ec0e4 Google Scholar Smith, D. 1975. Forage management in the North. Kendall/Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, IA. Google Scholar In SJ. Taff (ed.) 1993. The CRP in the upper midwest: What should we do next?. Univ. of Minnesota Ext. Serv. Google Scholar Thies, J.A., Barnes, D.K., Rabas, D.L., Sheaffer, C.C., Wilcoxson, R.D. 1992. Seeding date, carbofuran, and resistance to root-lesion nematode affect alfalfa stand establishment. 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