Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.5187/jast.2021.e65

Effect of a fall cut on dry matter yield, nutritive value, and stand persistence of alfalfa  

McDonald, Iryna (Department of Agronomy, Kansa State University)
Min, Doohong (Department of Agronomy, Kansa State University)
Baral, Rudra (Department of Agronomy, Kansa State University)
Publication Information
Journal of Animal Science and Technology / v.63, no.4, 2021 , pp. 799-814 More about this Journal
Abstract
Information is lacking about the effect of date of a fall cut of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on dry matter yield (DMY), forage nutritive value, and stands persistence. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of a fall cut on DMY, forage nutritive value and stand persistence of three alfalfa varieties: low-lignin Hi-Gest 360, Roundup Ready Tonica, and conventional Gunner in Northeastern Kansas in the United States. The field study was carried out by splitting plot in randomized complete block design with four replications. The harvesting data of different maturity stages were collected in each year from 2015 to 2018. Three cuts were harvested based on the stage of maturity, and the last (fourth) cut was done on September 15, September 30, October 15, and October 30 of each year. The persistence of the alfalfa stands was determined each fall after the last cut, and each spring after the first cut, by counting the number of live plants in a randomly placed quadrat in each plot. Alfalfa cut on September 15 and September 30 had a higher stand persistence compared to alfalfa cut on October 15 and October 30. The DMY of the first cut in 2016 was significantly higher in roundup ready than the low-lignin alfalfa variety. In the second cut, DMY was significantly higher in conventional alfalfa than the roundup ready. There were no significant differences in DMY between alfalfa varieties in the rest of seasonal cuttings in 2016 and 2017 and annual total yield in both years. In general, low lignin alfalfa variety had higher crude protein and relative feed value and lower acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents than those in roundup ready and conventional alfalfa varieties. On average, nutritive value of alfalfa was generally affected by last cutting dates in 2017. Based on 3-year data the last cutting of alfalfa in the fall could be done by September 30-October 15 without harmful effect on DMY.
Keywords
Medicago sativa L.; Fall cut; Dry matter yield; Nutritive value; Stand persistence;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
  • Reference
1 Barnhart SK. Establishing alfalfa for grazing system. In: Proceedings of the 2nd National Alfalfa Grazing Conference; 1997; Omaha, NE.
2 Parsons JL, Davis RR. Forage production of vernal alfalfa under differential cutting and phosphorus fertilization. Agron J. 1960;52:441-3. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1960.00021962005200080004x   DOI
3 Volenec JJ, Ourry A, Joern BC. A role for nitrogen reserves in forage regrowth and stress tolerance. Physiol Plant. 1996;97:185-93. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.1996.tb00496.x   DOI
4 McKenzie JS, McLean GE. Some factors associated with injury to alfalfa during the 1977-78 winter at Beaverlodge, Alberta. Can J Plant Sci. 1980;60:103-12. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps80-015   DOI
5 Macolino S, Lauriault LM, Rimi F, Ziliotto U. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizer effects on alfalfa and soil in a non-limited soil. Agron J. 2013;105:1613-8. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2013.0054   DOI
6 Kalu BA, Fick GW. Morphological stage of development as a predictor of alfalfa herbage quality. Crop Sci. 1983;23:1167-72. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1983.0011183X002300060033x   DOI
7 Brink GE, Marten GC. Harvest management of alfalfa-nutrient yield vs. forage quality, and relationship to persistence. J Prod Agric. 1989;2:32-6. https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1989.0032   DOI
8 Min D. Effects of cutting interval between harvests on dry matter yield and nutritive value in alfalfa. Am J Plant Sci. 2016;7:1226-31. https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2016.78118   DOI
9 Kallenbach RL, Nelson CJ, Coutts JH. Yield, quality, and persistence of grazing-and hay-type alfalfa under three harvest frequencies. Agron J. 2002;94:1094-103. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2002.1094   DOI
10 Ventroni LM, Volenec JJ, Cangiano CA. Fall dormancy and cutting frequency impact on alfalfa yield and yield components. Field Crops Res. 2010;119:252-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2010.07.015   DOI
11 Hoveland CS, Durham RG, Bouton JH. Weed encroachment in established alfalfa as affected by cutting frequency. J Prod Agric. 1996;9:399-402. https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1996.0399   DOI
12 Smith D. Cutting schedules and maintaining pure stands. Alfalfa Sci Technol. 1972;15:481-96. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronmonogr15.c22   DOI
13 Adhikari L, Lindstrom OM, Markham J, Missaoui AM. Dissecting key adaptation traits in the polyploid perennial Medicago sativa using GBS-SNP mapping. Front Plant Sci. 2018;9:934. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00934   DOI
14 Sheaffer CC, Marten GC. Alfalfa cutting frequency and date of fall cutting. J Prod Agric. 1990;3:486-91. https://doi.org/10.2134/jpa1990.0486   DOI
15 Brink G, Hall M, Shewmaker G, Undersander D, Martin N, Walgenbach R. Changes in alfalfa yield and nutritive value within individual harvest periods. Agron J. 2010;102:1274-82. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.0080   DOI
16 Davies SL, Peoples MB. Identifying potential approaches to improve the reliability of terminating a lucerne pasture before cropping: a review. Aust J Exp Agric. 2003;43:429-47. https://doi.org/10.1071/EA02042   DOI
17 Sheaffer CC, Martin NP, Lamb JFS, Cuomo GR, Jewett JG, Quering SR. Leaf and stem properties of alfalfa entries. Agron J. 2000;92:733-9. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2000.924733x   DOI
18 Palmonari A, Fustini M, Canestrari G, Grilli E, Formigoni A. Influence of maturity on alfalfa hay nutritional fractions and indigestible fiber content. J Dairy Sci. 2014;97:7729-34. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8123   DOI
19 Rimi F, Macolino S, Leinauer B, Lauriault LM, Ziliotto U. Alfalfa yield and morphology of three fall-dormancy categories harvested at two phenological stages in a subtropical climate. Agron J. 2010;102:1578-85. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2010.0193   DOI
20 Grev AM, Wells MS, Samac DA, Martinson KL, Sheaffer CC. Forage accumulation and nutritive value of reduced lignin and reference alfalfa cultivars. Agron J. 2017;109:2749-61. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.04.0237   DOI
21 Giorgio B, Amedeo RDL, Ernesto T. Yield and quality of three lucerne cultivars under various harvesting schedules. In: Proceedings of the 18th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation; 2000; Aalborg, Denmark.
22 Tesar MB, Yager JL. Fall cutting of alfalfa in the North Central USA. Agron J. 1985;77:774-8. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1985.00021962007700050024x   DOI
23 Dhont C, Castonguay Y, Nadeau P, Belanger G, Drapeau R, Chalifour FP. Untimely fall harvest affects dry matter yield and root organic reserves in field-grown alfalfa. Crop Sci. 2004;44:144-57. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2004.1440   DOI
24 Macolino S, Scotton M, Ziliotto U, Villalobos FJ, Testi L. Response of four lucerne cultivars to two cutting frequencies. In: Proceedings of the 7th Congress European Society of Agronomy; 2002; Cordoba, Spain.
25 Tesar MB. Fall cutting of alfalfa under 3- and 4-cutting systems in Michigan. In: Proceedings of the 17th Central Alfalfa Improve Conference; 1981; East Lansing, MI.
26 Avice JC, Ourry A, Lemaire G, Volenec JJ, Boucaud J. Root protein and vegetative storage protein are key organic nutrients for alfalfa shoot regrowth. Crop Sci. 1997;37:1187-93. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1997.0011183X003700040027x   DOI
27 Hendershot KL, Volenec JJ. Nitrogen pools in taproots of Medicago sativa L. after defoliation. J Plant Physiol. 1993;141:129-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0176-1617(11)80748-0   DOI
28 Walgenbach RP. Autumn management of alfalfa affects forage yield, quality and persistence. In: Proceedings of the American Forage and Grassland Council; 1983; Eau Claire, Wi.
29 Twamley BE. Variety, fertilizer, management interactions in alfalfa. Can J Plant Sci. 1960;40:130-8. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps60-015   DOI
30 Suzuki M. Effects of stand age on agronomic, morphological and chemical characteristics of alfalfa. Can J Plant Sci. 1991;71:445-52. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps91-061   DOI
31 USDA. Web soil survey [Internet]. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2017 [cited 2018 Mar 20]. http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/
32 National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance. Alfalfa variety ratings: Winter survival, fall dormancy & pest resistance ratings for alfalfa varieties. St. Paul, MN: National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance; 2018.
33 Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA. Methods for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J Dairy Sci. 1991;74:3583-97. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(91)78551-2   DOI
34 Rohweder DA, Barnes RF, Jorgensen N. Proposed hay grading standards based on laboratory analyses for evaluating quality. J Anim Sci. 1978;47:747-59. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1978.473747x   DOI
35 Institute SAS. SAS/IML 9.3. User's guide. Cary, NC; SAS Institute; 2011.
36 Belanger G, Kunelius T, McKenzie D, Papadopoulos Y, Thomas B, McRae K, et al. Fall cutting management affects yield and persistence of alfalfa in Atlantic Canada. Can J Plant Sci. 1999;79:57-63. https://doi.org/10.4141/P98-035   DOI
37 Sheaffler CC, Russelle MP, Hesterman OB, Stucker RE. Alfalfa response to potassium, irrigation, and harvest management. Agron J. 1986;78:464-8. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1986.00021962007800030014x   DOI
38 Hall MH, Smiles WS, Dickerson RA. Morphological development of alfalfa cultivars selected for higher quality. Agron J. 2000;92:1077-80. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2000.9261077x   DOI
39 Reynolds JH. Carbohydrate trends in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots under several forage harvest schedules. Crop Sci. 1971;11:103-6. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1971.0011183X001100010036x   DOI
40 Schoner CA. Effect of late fall harvest on alfalfa stand and yield. In: Proceedings of the 11th California Alfalfa Symposium; 1981; Berkeley, CA.
41 Helrich K. Official methods of analysis of the association of official analytical chemists: association of official analytical chemists. 15th ed. Arlington, VA: AOAC International; 1990.
42 Paquin R, Mehuys GR. Influence of soil moisture on cold tolerance of alfalfa. Can J Plant Sci. 1980;60:139-47. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps80-019   DOI
43 Leep RH, Andresen JA, Jeranyama P. Fall dormancy and snow depth effects on winterkill of alfalfa. Agron J. 2001;93:1142-8. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2001.9351142x   DOI
44 Dhont C, Castonguay Y, Nadeau P, Belanger G, Chalifour FP. Alfalfa root nitrogen reserves and regrowth potential in response to fall harvests. Crop Sci. 2003;43:181-94. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2003.1810   DOI
45 Trimble MW, Barnes DK, Heichel GH, Sheafter CC. Forage yield and nitrogen partitioning responses of alfalfa to two cutting regimes and three soil nitrogen regimes. Crop Sci. 1987;27:909-14. https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1987.0011183X002700050016xa   DOI
46 Mesonet K. Weather [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2017 Dec 28]. http://mesonet.k-state.edu/
47 Hancock DW, Buntin GD, Ely LO, Lacy RC, Heusner GL, Stewart RL Jr. Alfalfa management in Georgia. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia; 2015.
48 Belanger G, Richards JE, McQueen RE. Effects of harvesting systems on yield, persistence, and nutritive value of alfalfa. Can J Plant Sci. 1992;72:793-9. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjps92-095   DOI