Comparison of sodseeding versus slotseeding of alfalfa into established crested wheatgrass in southwestern Saskatchewan

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Schellenberg ◽  
J. Waddington
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Slot Width ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Agropyron Desertorum ◽  
Mechanical Removal ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Limiting Resources

Establishment of alfalfa seedlings in existing grass pastures (sodseeding) can increase forage productivity and quality. Nonselective herbicides are used to control the grass, thus freeing up limiting resources such as soil moisture for utilization by the alfalfa seedlings. Mechanical removal of a ribbon of grass sod to create a "slot" of bare soil for seeding was proposed as an alternative to herbicide methods. Experiments were started in each of the 3 yr 1992–1994 to compare the establishment of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Rangelander in established crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.) utilizing sodseeding or slotseeding. Prior to sodseeding, the existing vegetation was killed with glyphosate at 2.2 kg ai ha−1. For slotseeding, four widths (2.5, 5, 7, and 10 cm) of sod were removed to provide a slot in which seed was placed. In combination with the four slot widths, two widths (15 and 35 cm) of undercutting grass vegetation adjacent to the slot were examined. Sodseeding after a glyphosate treatment provided an environment with greater suppression of existing vegetation, and a seeding groove with characteristics resulting in greater productivity than with slotseeding using any slot width with undercutting. Key words: Sodseeding, slotseeding, alfalfa, Medicago sativa, crested wheatgrass, Agropyron desertorum

Sod-seeding alfalfa in spring into established crested wheatgrass in southwest Saskatchewan

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Schellenberg ◽  
John Waddington ◽  
Jane R. King
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Agropyron Desertorum ◽  
Single Row ◽  
Grass Roots ◽  
Weed Growth ◽  
Root Reserves ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Recovery Characteristic ◽  
Harvest Year

Five experiments were started over a 3-yr period to examine the width of a strip of established crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.) that should be killed for reliable establishment of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by sod-seeding in semiarid southwestern Saskatchewan. The value of pruning the grass roots along the edges of the killed area for alfalfa establishment was also examined. When alfalfa seeds were sown in a single row in strips of dead crested wheatgrass, alfalfa establishment improved as the width of the dead strip increased up to 75 cm, the maximum used, because of less competition for moisture and light. Pruning grass roots did not improve alfalfa establishment. Killing the crested wheatgrass in a strip wider than 50 cm favoured weed growth. Annual and biennial weeds were present only in the establishment year, but perennials persisted for the duration of the experiments. Yields of Rangelander, a creeping-rooted alfalfa of mixed ssp. sativa (L.) Lesins & Lesins and ssp. falcata (L.) Arcangeli parentage, and SCMf3713, a tap-rooted ssp. falcata were similar in the seedling and the following year. Etiolated growth of established plants revealed that SCMf3713 had a more persistent recovery characteristic which probably confers survival ability in severe environments. Killing the resident crested wheatgrass benefitted alfalfa establishment, as measured by seedling numbers, growth, seedling and first harvest year yields, and root reserves. Key words: Crested wheatgrass, sod-seeding, alfalfa, Agropyron desertorum, Medicago sativa

PRODUCTIVITY OF ALFALFA, SAINFOIN, AND CICER MILKVETCH ON SUBIRRIGATED LAND WHEN GRAZED BY SHEEP

1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. SMOLIAK ◽  
M. R. HANNA
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Agropyron Desertorum ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Rambler alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Eski sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) and cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.), alone and in mixture with Nordan crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.), were grazed by sheep over a 5-yr period. The replicates, or paddocks, were grazed in succession and the productivity, palatability, and persistence of the legumes was determined. When grown alone, sainfoin and alfalfa produced similar amounts of dry matter and both outyielded cicer milkvetch. There were no apparent differences in palatability of the legumes although the sheep were observed to graze sainfoin first, then alfalfa, and finally cicer milkvetch. Because alfalfa, sainfoin, and cicer milkvetch differ from one another in growth pattern, variations in grazing management of the three legumes may be necessary.

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

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).

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.

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

The effect of feeding hay before fresh alfalfa on the occurrence of frothy bloat in cattle

2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Majak ◽  
G. J. Garland ◽  
T. J. Lysyk
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Alfalfa Hay ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Effect Of Feeding

Alfalfa or orchardgrass hay was fed to cattle before feeding fresh alfalfa herbage at the vegetative to early bud stage of growth to observe the subsequent impact on bloat. Alfalfa hay supplements reduced the incidence of bloat by a third in one trial, but no effect was seen in a second trial. In contrast, supplements of orchardgrass hay reduced the occurrence of bloat by > 90% in 2 yr of trials. Supplemental orchardgrass hay can be effective in the control of pasture bloat. Key words: Steers, frothy bloat, Medicago sativa L., Dactylis glomerata L., hay supplements

Root and crown characteristics of alfalfas varying in fall dormancy

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. A. Juan ◽  
C. C. Sheaffer ◽  
D. K. Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Nonstructural Carbohydrate ◽  
Shoot Number ◽  
Fall Dormancy ◽  
Crown Morphology ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Crown Characteristics ◽  
Alfalfa Root

We compared root and crown characteristics of five alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) entries which differed in fall dormancy. Alfalfas were subjected to bud or mid-bloom harvests. The most consistent entry effect occurred for root and crown dry weight and root total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) concentrations. Root TNC concentration was highest and root and crown weight were greatest for the nondormant and least in the most dormant entries. Entries did not consistently differ in crown bud numbers, shoot number, or shoot origin. In October, the number of elongated crown buds were greater for a non-fall dormant alfalfa Nitro than for the most fall dormant alfalfa. Key words: Alfalfa, root and crown morphology, fall dormancy, root carbohydrates

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