Attractiveness of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to wild pollinators in relation to wildflowers

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 779-783 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Brookes ◽  
E. Small ◽  
L. P. Lefkovitch ◽  
H. Damman ◽  
D. T. Fairey
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

This study attempted to assess the effects of proximity to wildflowers on the relative number of pollinators foraging on alfalfa flowers, as this information may bear on alfalfa seed production, an important industry in Canada. Five hundred and forty-five collections were made of wild pollinating bees attracted to 20 alfalfa plantations in Canada. Of the 13 genera of bees collected, almost half belonged to Megachile, followed by Bombus with 20% of the collections. Analysis indicated that increased visitation to alfalfa was significantly related to distance of the alfalfa from wildflowers, but not to the size of the alfalfa plantation. Alfalfa growing less than 10 m from wildflowers seemed to benefit by spill-over ("facilitation") of pollinators from the wildflowers. Alfalfa isolated from wildflowers by other alfalfa plants for a distance of at least 200 m attracted very few pollinators, the wildflowers apparently providing more attractive sources of pollen and nectar. A single plantation highly isolated (by about 600 m) from wildflowers proved to be very attractive to pollinators, apparently because wild nesting bees in the vicinity had little alternative but the alfalfa. These observations may be useful in exploring crop layouts to maximize attraction of wild pollinators for seed production. Key words:Medicago sativa, alfalfa, pollinators, competition, facilitation, seed production

EFFECTS OF ESTABLISHMENT METHOD AND A RAPESEED COMPANION CROP ON ALFALFA SEED YIELD

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WADDINGTON ◽  
N. MALIK
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Brassica Campestris ◽  
Establishment Method ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Companion Crop

In two experiments at Melfort using alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ’Beaver’) seeded at a rate of 2 kg ha−1 with and without a Polish rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. ’Candle’) companion crop seeded at 5.5 kg ha−1, rapeseed yields in the establishment year were maximum when alfalfa and rapeseed were mixed and planted in 15-cm rows. Alfalfa showed no consistent seed yield differences between broadcast seeding, seeding in 15- or 61-cm rows, or seeding with or without the companion crop.Key words: Alfalfa, rapeseed, Brassica campestris, seed production

scholarly journals The Effect of Foliar Boron Application on Seed Production of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 60-64
Author(s):  
Wurentuya ◽  
Lingling Chen
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Foliar Application ◽  
Pollen Viability ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient for plant reproductive growth and seed setting. A better understanding of the reasonable application rate of B could provide guidelines for improving seed yield and quality. In this study, we used five B concentrations (0, 400, 800, 1200, and 1600 mg B L-1) to study the effect of foliar application of B on seed yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in northern China. Our results indicated that foliar B application increased the pollen number, pollen viability, and dry weight and B concentration of alfalfa reproductive organs. The effect of B on alfalfa seed yield can be attributed to affecting the number of inflorescence and the seeds per pod. Foliar application with 800 mg B L-1 made quantitative and qualitative improvements in seed yield and quality of alfalfa. These results help to explain the positive effects of B on alfalfa seed production.

Preharvest glyphosate in alfalfa for seed production: Effect on alfalfa seed yield and quality

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. May ◽  
H. A. Loeppky ◽  
D. C. Murrell ◽  
C. D. Myhre ◽  
J. J. Soroka
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Canada Thistle ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Seed Yields

Preharvest applications of glyphosate have been shown to be effective in controlling Canada thistle in annual crops, but may reduce alfalfa seed yield depending on time and rate of application. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of preharvest applications of glyphosate on subsequent alfalfa seed yield and quality. The effects of timing, 1, 26, 51 and 76% alfalfa seed pod maturity, and rate, 0, 440, 880, 1320, and 1760 g a.i. ha-1, of a preharvest application of glyphosate on alfalfa seed yield and quality in the year of application, and regrowth and seed yield in the following year were determined. The rate of glyphosate applied did not affect seed yield in the application year; however, in the following year, growth and seed yield were reduced as rates increased. Delaying the application of glyphosate increased seed yields in the application year, but decreased alfalfa regrowth and flowering the following year. Germination and seedling emergence were not affected by the rate or timing of the glyphosate. A preharvest application of glyphosate at 1760 g a.i. ha-1 at 76% pod maturity is a viable option in the last year of seed production. Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), glyphosate, abnormal seeds, seed quality, and seedling vigour

scholarly journals Structure conformational and rheological characterisation of alfalfa seed (Medicago sativa L.) galactomannan

2020 ◽  
pp. 117394
Author(s):  
Thierry Hellebois ◽  
Christos Soukoulis ◽  
Xuan Xu ◽  
Jean-Francois Hausman ◽  
Alexander Shaplov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT OF ALFALFA FOR SEED

1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 891-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. KROGMAN ◽  
E. H. HOBBS
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Field Plot ◽  
Southern Alberta ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Seed Yields

In field plot experiments conducted in southern Alberta over a 6-yr period, highest seed yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Beaver) were obtained with one or two irrigations in the first half of the growing season. In outdoor lysimeters protected from rain, moisture stress for more than 8 days before seed ripening severely reduced seed production. Under field conditions, stored soil moisture from irrigation during the vegetative stage of growth plus occasional rain in July and August permitted irrigation of alfalfa for seed to be stopped at the bud to early bloom stage (June to early July).

Desiccation of alfalfa for seed production with diquat and glufosinate

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 435-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Moyer ◽  
S. N. Acharya ◽  
J. Fraser ◽  
K. W. Richards ◽  
N. Foroud
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Viable Seed ◽  
Hard Seed ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Percent Germination ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Seed Yields

Recommendations for desiccation of alfalfa do not clearly define the stage at which desiccants should be applied. To obtain this information, diquat and glufosinate were applied to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) from 1991 to 1994 at various stages of maturity to determine the effect of desiccant and stage of maturity at desiccation on seed yield 1000-seed weight and seed germinability. Alfalfa seed yields, 1000-seed weights, percent germination and percent viable seed were similar after desiccation with diquat and glufosinate. Desiccation when 60–75% of the alfalfa seed pods were brown permitted maximum seed yields. Percent germination increased slightly in seeds that were exposed to weathering under normal conditions until all pods turned brown. Both desiccants adequately desiccated alfalfa for harvesting but desiccation with glufosinate took 2 or 3 d longer than diquat. Desiccants did not reduce alfalfa growth in the spring after application. Key words: Germination, yield, hard seed, seed weight, stage

INHIBITING INFECTION OF ALFALFA SEEDLINGS BY PRATYLENCHUS PENETRANS BY TREATING SEED WITH OXAMYL

1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. TOWNSHEND ◽  
J. W. POTTER
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Pratylenchus Penetrans ◽  
Alfalfa Seed ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Seedling alfalfa roots (Medicago sativa L. ’Saranac’) were protected from infection by Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) when alfalfa seed was treated with aqueous oxamyl at concentrations exceeding 2000 ppm. No infection occurred after oxamyl treatment at 32 000 ppm. Neither germination nor nodulation of alfalfa was adversely affected by treatment with oxamyl.

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