The Effect of Clipping on the Yield, Botanical Composition, and Protein Content of Alfalfa‐Grass Mixtures<sup>1</sup>

Comstock, V. E.; Law, A. G.

doi:10.2134/agronj1948.00021962004000120004x

Cited by 19 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…Barnett and Posler (1983) and Berdahl et al (2001) found that alfalfa-grass mixtures were more productive than N fertilized grasses that were fertilized at low N rates (50-90 kg ha -1 ). Several studies also have shown that grass-legume mixtures are not more productive than N fertilized monocultures (Comstock and Law, 1948;Jones et al, 1988;Mooso and Wedin, 1990). Mixture herbage accumulation in this study was consistently higher compared with alfalfa monocultures and tall fescue monocultures that received low N fertilization rates.…”

Section: Herbage Accumulationcontrasting

confidence: 40%

“…Hamilton et al (1969) found that alfalfa-grass mixtures yielded more than grass monocultures fertilized with 112 to 168 kg N ha -1 . Several studies also have shown that grass-legume mixtures are not more productive than N fertilized monocultures (Comstock and Law, 1948;Jones et al, 1988;Mooso and Wedin, 1990). Several studies also have shown that grass-legume mixtures are not more productive than N fertilized monocultures (Comstock and Law, 1948;Jones et al, 1988;Mooso and Wedin, 1990).…”

Section: Herbage Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The higher yield of mixtures over alfalfa monocultures may have been related to the association of tall fescue with alfalfa as the presence of grasses in mixture may benefit legume growth in different ways. Generally, grasses may compete better with alfalfa if harvested two to three times per year compared to one harvest (Comstock and Law, 1948). Another example of this possible effect were findings from a systematic planting study that found alfalfa produced considerably more biomass when grown between orchardgrass rows than in monoculture (Chamblee 1958).…”

Section: Herbage Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since maintaining highly diverse forage communities in agricultural grasslands may be difficult, it may warrant a closer reexamination of simpler grass-legume mixtures to help achieve some of the same beneficial effects in more fertile agricultural soils. Many experiments have evaluated aspects of grasslegume mixtures, starting in the 1940s (Åberg et al, 1943;Comstock and Law, 1948;Chamblee, 1958). Some evidence suggests grass-legume mixtures may be more adaptable to changing environmental conditions than monocultures.…”

Section: Evaluation Of Alfalfa-tall Fescue Mixtures Across Multiple Ementioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

et al. 2016

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Binary grass–legume mixtures can benefit forage production systems in different ways helping growers cope both with increasing input costs (e.g., N fertilizer, herbicides) and potentially more variable weather. The main objective of this study was to evaluate alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub] mixtures across a wide range of environments to assess herbage accumulation, weed suppression and fertilizer nitrogen replacement values (FNRV). A common field experiment was established in 2009 and 2010 at six study sites in the United States: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Experimental treatments included an alfalfa monoculture, three alfalfa–fescue mixtures with seed ratios of 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75 of alfalfa/tall fescue, and tall fescue monocultures that received nitrogen applications of 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 kg N ha–1, respectively. Data were collected over a 2‐yr period. The responses of tall fescue monocultures to N fertilization differed among sites, and this contrasted with mixture yields, which did not exhibit site × treatment interactions (P > 0.05). Herbage accumulation and weed suppression were consistently higher in mixtures compared with alfalfa monocultures and tall fescue monocultures receiving less than 100 kg N ha–1. The FNRVs for alfalfa were within the range reported for other studies and averaged 143 kg N ha–1. The consistent herbage accumulations across these multiple environments suggest binary mixtures of alfalfa–tall fescue may be a good option for many forage–livestock producers although yields could be improved with location specific cultivar selection.

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Section: Herbage Accumulationcontrasting

confidence: 40%

Section: Herbage Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Herbage Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Evaluation Of Alfalfa-tall Fescue Mixtures Across Multiple Ementioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

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“…For instance, alfalfa survival was lower in treatments with a single yearly defoliation of alfalfa in Conservation Reserve Program than in treatments that had three to four cuttings per year (Sheaffer et al 1997). A lower frequency of defoliation in mixed alfalfa-grass stands improved yield (Bittman et al 1991;Hoveland et al 1996) and decreased grass encroachment (Comstock and Law 1948;Bates et al 1996;Hoveland et al 1996).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of Medicago sativa and M. falcata type alfalfas to different defoliation times and grass competition

Hendrickson¹,

Liebig²,

Berdahl³

2008

Can. J. Plant Sci.

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Responses of Medicago sativa and M. falcata type alfalfas to different defoliation times and grass competition. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 61Á69. Incorporating alfalfa into rangelands can enhance the quantity and quality of forage production. We evaluated the impact of clipping timing and selective clipping on two M. falcata (Anik and Yellowhead) and one M. sativa type alfalfas (Vernal) near Mandan, North Dakota, USA. Cultivars were space-planted into an existing mixed grass prairie and clipped at the mid-bud, flower or flower and subsequent vegetative stages. In each clipping treatment, half of the plots had only the alfalfa clipped and half had both the alfalfa and the associated native vegetation clipped. Plots without alfalfa were also included to evaluate the impact of alfalfa on grass and forb biomass. Including Yellowhead increased total productivity by 38 to 185% without lowering the productivity of the grass or forb biomass components. Plots with Yellowhead produced 17 to 26% more total biomass than the next highest entry every year. In 2003 and 2005, alfalfa biomass was increased 1.5 to 2.7 times by clipping only alfalfa in the flower and regrowth stages compared with a mid-bud clipping of only alfalfa. Vernal and Yellowhead generally produced more total biomass when clipping was deferred to the flower stage, but clipping Anik in the mid-bud stage produced as much or more total biomass than did the later clipping treatments. Selective clipping of the alfalfa did not have a consistent impact on yield. Yellowhead appeared to be a good choice for incorporating into rangelands. Producers with Yellowhead or Vernal should consider delaying defoliation until flowering to maximize productivity.Key words: Grazing-type alfalfa, hay-type alfalfa, defoliation timing, biomass productivity Hendrickson, J. R., Liebig, M. A. et Berdahl, J. D. 2008. Re´action des luzernes de type Medicago sativa et M. falcata al 'application de de´foliant a`diffe´rents moments et a`la concurrence des gramine´es. Can. J. Plant Sci. 88: 61Á69. Inte´grer la luzerne aux grands parcours pourrait ame´liorer la production et la qualite´des fourrages. Les auteurs ont e´value´l'incidence du moment de la coupe et d'une coupe se´lective sur deux varie´te´s de luzerne M. falcata (Anik et Yellowhead) et une de M. sativa (Vernal) pre`s de Mandan, dans le Dakota Nord, aux É tats-Unis. Les cultivars ont e´te´seme´s avec intervalle dans une prairie mixte puis re´colte´s à divers stades ve´ge´tatifs (milieu du bourgeonnement, floraison, floraison et stades ulte´rieurs). Apre`s chaque traitement, les auteurs ont re´colte´uniquement la luzerne sur la moitie´des parcelles et sur l'autre moitie´, la luzerne ainsi que la ve´ge´tation indige`ne. Ils ont inclus les parcelles sans luzerne afin d'e´valuer l'impact de cette dernie`re sur la biomasse des gramine´es et des dicotyle´dones. L'inclusion du cultivar Yellowhead accroıˆt la productivitet otale de 38 a`185 % sans pour autant re´duire le rendement des gramine´es et des dicotyle´dones au niveau de la biomasse. ...

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Responses of individual plants to harvesting

1963

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The Effect of Clipping on the Yield, Botanical Composition, and Protein Content of Alfalfa‐Grass Mixtures¹

Cited by 19 publications

References 1 publication

Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

Responses of Medicago sativa and M. falcata type alfalfas to different defoliation times and grass competition

Responses of individual plants to harvesting

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The Effect of Clipping on the Yield, Botanical Composition, and Protein Content of Alfalfa‐Grass Mixtures1

Cited by 19 publications

References 1 publication

Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

Responses of Medicago sativa and M. falcata type alfalfas to different defoliation times and grass competition

Responses of individual plants to harvesting

Contact Info

Product

Resources

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The Effect of Clipping on the Yield, Botanical Composition, and Protein Content of Alfalfa‐Grass Mixtures¹