Companion crop, herbicide and weed effects on establishment and yields of alfalfa-bromegrass mixture

1995 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Moyer ◽  
D. E. Cole ◽  
D. C. Maurice ◽  
A. L. Darwent
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Wild Oat ◽  
Combined Stress ◽  
Key Words Wheat ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Companion Crop ◽  
Forage Yields

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and bromegrass (Bromus spp.) were seeded with and without a companion crop and with and without herbicides at Westlock and Lethbridge, Alberta, to assess the effect of weed control, companion crop and the herbicide-by-companion crop interaction on forage establishment and subsequent yields. A companion crop reduced both alfalfa and bromegrass yields for at least 2 yr after establishment on a rain fed site at Westlock and for 1 yr after establishment on an irrigated site at Lethbridge. At both sites, weed yields were higher after establishment with a companion crop than after establishment without a companion crop. Unchecked weeds in the establishment year had less effect than a companion crop on subsequent forage yields. At both locations, weed biomass in the establishment year was less than that of the companion crop. The combined stress of a companion crop and 2,4-DB application had a detrimental effect on alfalfa yield for 3 yr after establishment at Lethbridge. Key words: Wheat, barley, wild oat, redroot pigweed, dandelion

Effects of Weed Control in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on Forage Yield and Quality

Weed Science ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Cosgrove ◽  
Michael Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Forage Yields

The effects of weed control measures in established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) on forage yield and quality were investigated at three sites with varying alfalfa densities and weed populations. Herbicide treatments were 0.56 and 1.12 kg/ha metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] applied in fall or spring, respectively, 1.68 kg/ha pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] applied in fall, and combinations of these treatments. First-harvest forage yields (weeds plus alfalfa) were either reduced or unchanged by herbicide treatments. Total forage yield was not altered by the herbicide treatments, but first-harvest and total alfalfa yield as well as first-harvest forage protein content were increased by several treatments, depending on stand density and weed pressure. Little effect was observed on in vitro digestible dry matter or acid detergent fiber content.

Shearing force of alfalfa stems: Effects of genotype and year interactions

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 719-722
Author(s):  
A. D. Iwaasa ◽  
K. A. Beauchemin ◽  
S. N. Acharya ◽  
J. G. Buchanan-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Cell Wall ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Chemical Constituents ◽  
Stem Segment ◽  
Shearing Force ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Genotype Clustering ◽  
Force Characteristics

Shearing force of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems was measured to evaluate genotype-by-year interactions. Based on mean shearing force for each stem segment and genotype clustering criteria, several genotypes had similarly shearing forces among years. Therefore, selecting genotypes with desirable shearing force characteristics to improve digestibility or intake potential of forages may be possible. Key words: Genotype, environment, shearing force, cell wall chemical constituents

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

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

Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
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

POLISH RAPESEED AS A COMPANION CROP FOR ESTABLISHING FORAGES IN NORTHEASTERN SASKATCHEWAN

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 677-682 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WADDINGTON ◽  
S. BITTMAN
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Brassica Campestris ◽  
Growth Suppression ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Forage Species ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Companion Crop

Forages were seeded with and without a Polish rapeseed (Brassica campestris L.) companion crop at two dates in each of 3 yr. In each test, forage seedlings grew much better where seeded alone; growth under the companion crop varied from poor to fairly good, depending on the year and the forage species. Russian wild ryegrass (Elymus junceus Fisch.) established poorly under rapeseed. Bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) establishment was satisfactory in all tests, although production in the year following was usually much less than where it was seeded alone. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) establishment was poor to fair under rapeseed. A mid-May seeding date with the companion crop resulted in better forage growth by fall than a later seeding date. A feature of all tests was the severe infestation of volunteer rapeseed the year following seeding in all forages except bromegrass. Because of growth suppression during the establishment year, and difficulties with volunteer rapeseed in legumes in the year following establishment, it is suggested that Polish rapeseed is not a good companion crop when establishing legumes and Russian wild ryegrass.Key words: Bromegrass, alfalfa, Russian wild ryegrass, sainfoin, rapeseed, companion crops, forage establishment

Bloat in cattle fed alfalfa selected for a low initial rate of digestion

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Hall ◽  
W. Majak ◽  
D. G. Stout ◽  
K.-J. Cheng ◽  
B. P. Goplen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Initial Rate ◽  
Legume Species ◽  
The Third ◽  
Fourth Cycle ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Investigations of legume species which do and do not cause bloat suggested that a bloat-safe alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) might be produced by reducing its initial rate of digestion. This study compared a third cycle alfalfa synthetic selected for a low initial rate of digestion (LIRD) with a control cultivar (Beaver). The occurrence of bloat was not significantly lower when cattle were fed cycle 3 LIRD than when fed Beaver in three grazing trials or in two of three feedlot trials. The deviation of the results in the third trial could not be explained by differences in dry matter or protein content. When grown under irrigation, the 4 h dry matter disappearance (DMD) of cycle 3 LIRD was 89% to 96% of that for Beaver. This reduction was much less than has been hypothesized to prevent bloat. Without irrigation the 4 h DMD of both cultivars were reduced by 1–3% while cycle 3 LIRD continued to have a lower DMD than Beaver. LIRD may provide some protection against bloat on dry rangelands though the response may be variable in years when moisture is well supplied. Studies with a fourth cycle LIRD selection will investigate this further. Key words: Legumes, Medicago sativa L., nylon bag, digestion

Efficacy of Rumensin controlled release capsule for the control of alfalfa bloat in cattle

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. W. Hall ◽  
W. Majak ◽  
T. A. McAllister ◽  
J. K. Merrill
Keyword(s):  
Controlled Release ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Daily Frequency ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
The Difference

Rumensin controlled release capsule (CRC) was evaluated in grazing trials and in confinement with fistulated steers fed alfalfa at the vegetative to early bud stage of growth. These stages promoted a high incidence of bloat, both in animal days of bloat and in daily frequency of distension. The bolus reduced the incidence of bloat by an average of 50% in five trials, the difference being statistically significant in four of them. The cultivars AC Grazeland and Alfagraze did not differ significantly in daily bloat incidence when evaluated at early stages of growth. Key words: Cattle, bloat, legumes, Medicago sativa L.

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