Environmental controls of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) growth across a climatic and edaphic gradient

Druille, Magdalena; Deregibus, V. A.; Garbulsky, Martín F.

doi:10.31047/1668.298x.v34.n2.19646

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…One of the most important characteristics of alfalfa is its natural ability to grow and be produced in a wide range of environmental ecosystems, as related to soil fertility and water availability. The basis of alfalfa adaptability to different environments is naturally high soil reaction, and good resources of potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. K is an essential nutrient for the transport of N compounds formed in the root as a result of N 2 fixation in the root nodule.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutual Effect of Gypsum and Potassium on Nutrient Productivity in the Alfalfa–Grass Sward—A Case Study

Zielewicz

Grzebisz

Biber

2023

Plants

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It was assumed that the production of alfalfa in soils naturally poor in available nutrients, such as potassium (K) and calcium (Ca), depends on the use of fertilizers. This hypothesis was validated in an experiment with an alfalfa–grass mixture carried out in 2012, 2013 and 2014 on soil formed from loamy sand that had a low content of available Ca and K. The two-factor experiment consisted of two levels of applied gypsum as a source of Ca (0, 500 kg ha−1) and five levels of PK fertilizers (absolute control, P60K0, P60K30, P60K60 and P60K120). The total yield of the sward was determined by the main seasons of alfalfa–grass sward use. Gypsum application increased the yield by 1.0 t ha−1. The highest yield of 14.9 t ha−1 was obtained on the plot fertilized with P60K120. Based on the nutrient content in the sward, it was shown that the main yield predictor was the content of K in the first cut of sward use. The reliable yield predictors, based on the total accumulation of nutrients in the sward, turned out to be K, Mg and Fe. The nutritional quality of the alfalfa–grass fodder, based on the K/Ca + Mg ratio, depended mainly on the season of the sward use, which was substantially deteriorated by the K fertilizer. Gypsum did not control this process. The productivity of the nutrients taken up by the sward depended on the accumulated K. Its yield-forming effect was significantly limited by manganese deficiency. The use of gypsum positively affected the uptake of micronutrients, consequently increasing their unit productivity, especially of manganese. Optimization of the production of alfalfa–grass mixtures in soils poor in basic nutrients requires micronutrients to be taken into account. Their uptake by plants can be limited by high doses of basic fertilizers.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mutual Effect of Gypsum and Potassium on Nutrient Productivity in the Alfalfa–Grass Sward—A Case Study

Zielewicz

Grzebisz

Biber

2023

Plants

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“…The maximum yield harvested in the second season was 15.6 t ha −1 DW. This yield is very high under natural growth conditions in the temperate regions of the world (temperature, precipitation) [31,50]. In very good environmental conditions, as in northern Italy, where the growing season and thus the number of successive alfalfa cuts is greater, the yields can even reach 20 t ha −1 [30].…”

Section: Nutrient Content In the Alfalfa-grass Sward And Yieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Under good natural growing conditions (climate and soil) and irrigation, the yield of the sward can even reach 20 t ha −1 [30]. Such high yields are rarely achievable in natural, i.e., rain-fed, conditions, even when rainfall is sufficient [31]. The foremost rationale for low sward yields is the insufficient fertility of the soil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Productivity of Nitrogen Accumulated in Alfalfa–Grass Sward Cultivated on Soil Depleted in Basic Nutrients: A Case Study

et al. 2023

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The productivity of fodder legumes, based on internal sources of N, may be limited due to an insufficient supply of nutrients responsible for the efficient use of N accumulated by the crop during the growing season. Production risk occurs on soils that are naturally poor or depleted in nutrients that are decisive for the fixation and utilization of N2 by alfalfa. This hypothesis was validated on the basis of a field experiment with an alfalfa–grass mixture carried out over three main seasons (2012−2014) on soil low in available potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and sulfur (S). The experiment involved two factors that contained two levels of applied gypsum (GYP: 0, 500 kg ha−1) fertilized with P and K (POT: absolute control—AC, P60K0, P60K30, P60K60, and P60K120). In each main season of the alfalfa–grass mixture, the sward was mowed three times (three cuts). The total sward yield (TY) reached its maximum in the second main season (15.6 t DW ha−1), then it significantly decreased. The sward yield of the third cut was the main driver of the TY. The content of P in the first cut, and especially P and S in the third cut of the sward, affected the N:P and P:S ratios, which, in turn, determined the productivity of the alfalfa–grass mixture. The total amount of accumulated N (TN) in the sward significantly responded to gypsum and PK fertilizers. In the first and third main seasons, the highest TN was found on the plot fertilized with both gypsum and 120 kg K2O ha−1. In the second main season, the TY was determined by PK dose, being variable in successive years. The highest total N accumulation (TN) was recorded in the second main season. It reached 504 kg N ha−1 on the plots with GYP−0 and 436 kg N ha−1 for GYP−500. However, the corresponding TY was 16.7 and 17.3 t DW ha−1. This apparent discrepancy was due to the much higher productivity of N, which was 33.2 and 39.6 kg fodder DW ha−1 TN, respectively. These two characteristics clearly indicate that the productivity of the accumulated N by the alfalfa–grass sward was significantly restricted by the shortage of P and S. The studies clearly emphasized that the sward of the alfalfa–grass mixture grown on soil depleted in available K, Ca, and S responds significantly to the combined application of gypsum and potassium, but provides effective control of the P supply, even on soil rich in available P.

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Forage quality profiling of pre-selected alfalfa genotypes: towards genetic enhancement and adaptation for arid dryland farming

Tlahig,

Karmous,

Ayeb

et al. 2024

Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr

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Environmental controls of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) growth across a climatic and edaphic gradient

Cited by 5 publications

References 34 publications

Mutual Effect of Gypsum and Potassium on Nutrient Productivity in the Alfalfa–Grass Sward—A Case Study

Mutual Effect of Gypsum and Potassium on Nutrient Productivity in the Alfalfa–Grass Sward—A Case Study

Productivity of Nitrogen Accumulated in Alfalfa–Grass Sward Cultivated on Soil Depleted in Basic Nutrients: A Case Study

Forage quality profiling of pre-selected alfalfa genotypes: towards genetic enhancement and adaptation for arid dryland farming

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