Effects of Between‐Row and Within‐Row Spacing on Alfalfa Seed Yields

Abstract

Proper between‐row and within‐row spacing is essential for optimizing alfalfa seed yields and stand longevity. Using three alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars (WL232HQ, Derby, and Algonquin), we conducted a field study from 2004 to 2007 to evaluate the effects of three between‐row spacing treatments (60, 80, and 100 cm) and four within‐row spacing treatments (15, 30, 45, and 60 cm) on seed yield, seed yield components, plant height, basal stem diameter, and lodging. Our hypothesis was that the intermediate between‐row and within‐row spacing would gradually improve seed yields in later years. The highest seed yields were obtained with 60‐cm between‐row spacing and 15‐cm within‐row spacing in 2004, but with 80‐cm between‐row spacing and 30‐cm within‐row spacing in 2006 and 2007. The significant year × between‐row spacing and year × within‐row spacing interactions for seed yield indicated that 80‐cm between‐row spacing and 30‐cm within‐row spacing produced the best seed yields as years advanced, and our results confirmed this. With the increase of within‐row spacing, stems per square meter decreased, while racemes per stem increased significantly. The effects of between‐row and within‐row spacing on seeds per pod, however, were not significant in four years. The results suggest that 80‐cm between‐row spacing and 30‐cm within‐row spacing can decrease the risk of lodging and optimize seed yields in the third and fourth harvest years.

Liming influence on soil chemical properties, nutritional status and yield of alfalfa grown in acid soil

“…Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops worldwide because of its good forage quality, high forage yield in a wide range of environments, and high adaptability to different climatic conditions (Dordas, 2006;Berg et al, 2007;Zhang et al, 2008;Turan et al, 2009). Alfalfa is grown mainly for forage production while seed yield is secondary (Iannucci et al, 2002).…”

Establishment and Stand Development of Alfalfa Interseeded into Native Grass Mixture: Cultivar and Row Spacing Effects

“…The desired balance of grass and alfalfa in a native grassland may be achieved partially by choosing a robust, competitive cultivar and a seeding density that confers a stable arrangement of competing species (Chamblee and Collins, 1988). Planting seeds at different seeding rates or row spacings are methods of manipulating plant density (Zhang et al, 2008). Studies on alfalfa row spacings ranging from 15 to 100 cm have shown that wider spacing favored greater persistence than narrow row spacing (Askarian and Hampton, 1993; Groya and Sheaffer, 1981; Zhang et al, 2008).…”

“…Planting seeds at different seeding rates or row spacings are methods of manipulating plant density (Zhang et al, 2008). Studies on alfalfa row spacings ranging from 15 to 100 cm have shown that wider spacing favored greater persistence than narrow row spacing (Askarian and Hampton, 1993; Groya and Sheaffer, 1981; Zhang et al, 2008). However, a majority of the trials were conducted under irrigation.…”

Foliar Applied Calcium Improves Seed Yield and Yield Components of Alfalfa

“…The present study findings are in agreement with the result of these experiments that Ca supply could significantly increase pods per raceme (Table 4). In addition, some researchers reported that seeds per pod was a steady relatively component in lots of crops (Idris, 2008;Zhang et al, 2008). Similarly, in this experiment, Ca application had not significant effect on seeds per pod.…”