• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.929-934
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• 2000

Optimum stand density of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varies with locations and climates. Stand density is one of the factors that determines herbage yield, forage quality and persistence of alfalfa. As establishment costs increase, the question arises whether present population densities are optimum for obtaining maximum herbage yield and forage quality. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the optimum plant density for highest herbage yield and forage quality for the dehydrated alfalfa industry under Edmontons climatic conditions in Alberta, Canada; 2) to compare herbage yield and forage quality of the cultivars 'Algonquin' and 'Vernal' grown at a range of stand densities. Alfalfa seedlings of both cultivars were either transplanted at spacings of 6, 10, 15 and 25 cm or direct seeded at the 4.5 cm plant spacings, providing population densities of 494, 278, 100, 45 and $16plants/m^2$. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with a split-plot arrangement having three replicates; the main plots consisted of two alfalfa cultivars Algonquin and Vernal, and the sub-plots were the five population densities. The cultivar Vernal had significantly higher annual yield than did the cultivar Algonquin. There was no significant effect of plant density on herbage yield. There was no difference in crude protein (CP) between the two cultivars. At the first cut, there was a significant quadratic effect of plant density on CP content and the greatest CP occurred at the 100 plants/m2 density. Crude protein was not affected by plant density at the second cut. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by plant density. The cultivar Algonquin usually had a lower ADF and NDF than cultivar Vernal. In conclusion, high population densities ($278plants/m^2$ or more) of alfalfa did not improve herbage yield and forage quality compared with low plant population densities ($100plants/m^2$ or less) of alfalfa.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권5호
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• pp.1098-1113
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• 2021

Maturation process of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) could be prevented by the reduction of lignin content in terms of conventional breeding or transgenic technology. Alfalfa could exhibit higher leaf/stem ratio, with a concern of yield loss. The objective of this study was to compare forage yield and nutritive value of low lignin alfalfa and two reference varieties subjecting to two harvest intervals and three seeding rates. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split-split plot arrangement with four replicates, where harvest intervals (28-day and 35-day) were assigned to whole plots, seeding rates were subplots, and varieties were sub-subplots. The weighted mean nutritive value was applied to two production years of 2016 and 2017. Hi-Gest 360 (low lignin alfalfa) provided similar yield potential and increased nutritive value compared to two reference varieties. Over a two-year production period, alfalfa harvested at every 28-day interval provided more economic returns than those at 35-day interval. For the seeding year and first production year, five cuts made by the 28-day interval produced more yield than four cuts by the 35-day interval. Due to limited rainfall in May 2017, a sharp drop of the first cutting overturned the advantage of the five-cut system. Shorter intervals between harvests generally increased crude protein (CP) concentrations. The differences of relative feed value (RFV) between two harvest intervals tended to be great during the first and second cuttings. Overall, harvest interval had a large effect on nutritive value and a more significant effect on alfalfa dry matter yield than variety selection. Seeding rate did not affect alfalfa yield and nutritive value.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.140-144
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• 2024

This study aims to contribute to resolving the critical issue of weed management in newly established alfalfa fields, study has been conducted on effective herbicide use. The study evaluated the impact of various domestically available foliar herbicides on alfalfa phytotoxicity, weed control, yield, and nutritive value. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four treatments. Alfalfa 'SW 5615' seeded in the spring of 2024 on a 1 ha field (March 18), with herbicide treatments including fluazifop-P-butyl (FPB), bentazone (BEN), and a mixture of these herbicides (MIX). Herbicide efficacy, alfalfa yield, and nutritive value were assessed 30 days post-application. Results indicated that the MIX treatment achieved superior weed control comparable to hand weeding (HW), although it exhibited higher phytotoxicity, requiring extended recovery periods. While MIX led to lower overall yield, it enhanced alfalfa purity, resulting in higher crude protein (CP) content and relative feed value (RFV) compared to other treatments. The study concludes that despite the potential for increased phytotoxicity, mixed herbicide treatments could offer a strategic advantage in enhancing the quality of alfalfa feed through effective weed management, thereby improving CP and RFV, critical factors for the nutritional value of alfalfa. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing weed management practices in alfalfa cultivation, suggesting that mixed herbicide application, although associated with increased phytotoxicity on the plants, could improve the overall feed quality by reducing weed competition.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권4호
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• pp.799-814
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• 2021

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.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.185-189
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• 2024

The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is an important pest that causes significant damages to alfalfa crops, reducing yield and quality, but there's a solution. This research had two main goals to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides available in Korea for alfalfa weevil control and to provide data for pest management studies. The experiment, conducted from 2023 to 2024 at the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea, included four treatment plots: control (CON), early-occurrence (EAR), mid-occurrence (MID), and late-occurrence (LAT). It also included two frequency plots with primary and secondary insecticide using 50% fenitrothion emulsion, which made it truly comprehensive study. The primary insecticide was applied at the first observation of the alfalfa weevil larvae, with subsequent secondary applications at specified intervals. The results showed that two-times insecticide applications significantly reduced larvae populations and increased yield and nutrient content compared to a single application. Specifically, control rates ranged from 94 to 94.7% on the third day after treatment and from 72.2 to 93.4% on the seventh day. Plots with two applications had higher yields and crude protein content. The study concluded that the timing and frequency of insecticide applications are critical to maximizing alfalfa yield and quality, emphasizing the importance of optimized application strategies for effective pest control.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권2호
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• pp.262-273
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• 2022

Under the four-cut system, low-lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) may extend harvesting intervals improving harvest management flexibility and producing forage products with higher nutritive values. The objective of this study was to compare forage yield and nutritive values of low-lignin and conventional alfalfa varieties when applied to six different harvest schedules in the first (2016) and second (2017) production years. There were 12 treatments of two alfalfa varieties as whole plots and six harvest schedules as subplots. Across harvest schedules, there were four cuttings in two production years. Three harvest intervals including "Standard" (high quality, HQ), "Standard+5-day" (medium quality, MQ), and "Standard+10-day" (high yield, HY) were chosen for the first cutting, and 30-day (HQ) and 35-day (HY) for the second cuttings. The third and fourth cuttings in 2016 were timed near final harvest date and in 2017 occurred at 35-day (MQ) and 40-day (HY). Variety by harvest schedule interaction was not significant, but the whole plot and sub-plot effects were significant. Hi-Gest 360 was consistently higher in nutritive value and with a similar yield as Gunner. Harvest schedules did not consistently differ in forage yield and nutritive values. HS-1 ("Standard" + 35-day + Medium Quality + High Yield) with shorter first two cutting intervals provided lower acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), higher relative feed value (RFV), and similar forage yield compared to other schedules. HS-1 had the highest economic incomes when considering RFV and yield among the six different harvest schedules.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.305-318
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• 2021

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage legume grown in Kansas, USA and its productivity with cool-season grasses however is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter yield (DMY) and forage nutritive value of alfalfa-grass mixtures compared to those of alfalfa and grasses grown in monoculture with and without nitrogen fertilization. Three different alfalfa varieties were planted (reduced-lignin alfalfa, Roundup Ready, and conventional alfalfa) and two kinds of cool-season grasses (smooth brome, Bromus inermis Leyss, and tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb) were planted as a monoculture or in alfalfa-grass mixtures. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied at green-up at a rate of 56 kg/ha and after the second cutting at a rate of 56 kg/ha in 2016 and 2017, respectively. and control treatments received no nitrogen. DMY was significantly higher in monoculture alfalfa and alfalfa-grass mixtures than in grass monocultures. Between alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa-grass mixtures, no significant differences in DMY were found. For all treatments, nitrogen application significantly increased DMY compared to the control. In 2016 and 2017, the low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had the lowest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and the grass monocultures had the highest ADF. In 2016 and 2017, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in smooth bromegrass and tall fescue was higher than in other species treatments. A low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had significantly lower NDF concentration compared to alfalfa-grass mixtures. When averaged over 2016 and 2017, relative feed value (RFV) was highest in low-lignin alfalfa and lowest in the grass monocultures. In both years, nitrogen fertilizer application did not affect nutritive values.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.28-34
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• 1983

alfalfa 단파초지(單播草地)에 있어서 최대총건물(最大總乾物) 생산(生産)과 질적(質的) 향상(向上)을 위한 예취적기(刈取適期)가 연구(硏究)되었다. 최대총생산수량(最大總生産收量)을 위한 예취기(刈取期) tc(장(張), 1971)가 alfalfa 초종(草種)의 영속성(永續性)과 동시에 CP 및 IVD의 높은 수준(水準)을 수분하는 최대건물생산수량(最大乾物生産收量)의 적기(適期)로 선택(選擇)되었다. 이와 동일(同一)한 이론적(理論的) 근거에 입각하여 극대(極大) LAI 및 25% 개화기(開花期)가 alfalfa 단파초지(單播草地)에서 가장 적합(適合)한 형태학적(形態學的) 예취기(刈取期)임이 판명(判明)되었다.

• 한국작물학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.48-54
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• 1989

외국에서 도입한 32개의 서로 다른 Alfalfa 품종을 우리나라 기후풍토에서 재배하여 초장과 건물중 등의 생육상태를 비교 검사한 결과 가장 우수한 생육상태를 나타낸 품종들은 다음과 같다. 1. 초장생육이 우수하였던 상위 7개 품종들은 Diamond>Milkmaker> Arrow>Chalienger>Sapphire > Dekalb brand 135> LS-1920의 품종순이고 최하위 초장의 7개 품종을 하위순으로 열거하여 보면 Pioneer brand 5929> Maxidor> Dekalb brand 167> Pierce> Blazer> Raidor> Pioneer brand 532의 순이었다. 2. 건물중이 많은 상위 7개 품종은 Pike>LS-1920>Challenger>Salute>Diamond>Decathlon>Pioneer brand 581의 품종순이며 최하위 건물중의 7개 품종은 Maxidor>Pioneer brand 5929>Pioneer brand 532>Florida 77> Pierce> Magnum> Blazer의 순이었다. 3. 초장과 건물중의 결과를 비교하여 보면 대체로 초장에서 우수하였거나 열거하였던 품종들이 역시 건물중에서도 우세하거나 열거하여 서로가 비례하는 결과를 보였다. 4. 이상에서 조사한 바와 같이 가장 좋은 생육상태 및 수활량을 보인 품종들은 Pike, LS-1920, Challenger, Salute, Diamond 등이었으며 이들중 Challenger 품중을 제외한 나머지 품종들은 내한성이 중간정도인 Semi-dormant 계통으로 우리 나라 재배환경에 가장 적합할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국초지조사료학회지
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.141-146
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• 1990

Changes in dry matter yield, crude components, nutrients uptake($P_2O_5$, $K_2O$, CaO, MgO) and sulphur containing amino acid(cysteine, methionine) of orchardgrass(Dacty1is glomerata. L) and alfalfa(A4edicago sativa. L) by gypsum application(as sulphur source, 0, 2. 5, 10, 20kg SIlOa) were investigated to understand the effect of sulphur on herbage production in pasture, which was established in 1987 as means of hand broadcasting. The effect of gypsum on dry matter yield at different cutting times during growing seasons has not been found both in orchardgrass and in alfalfa, but in respect to annual total dry matter yield there were increment in herbage yield (P<0.05) of alfalfa at 5, 10, 20kg SIlOa in 1989 and the amounts of sulphur taken up in herbage slightly increased according to the rates of gypsum application. Maximum apparent recovery of sulphur was 7.55% at 2kg SIlOa in orchardgrass and was 17.8% at 5kg S/lOa in alfalfa. There were no any great differences in the content of crude components of both species and this trend was similar with the mineral contents of orchardgrass. But in alfalfa, the amounts of $K_2O$, CaO, and $P_2O_5$ taken up were increased by gypsum application and the increment in the amounts of minerals taken up in herbage at 20kg SIlOa were 14.9 of $K_2O$, 9.1 of CaO, and 2.5kgIlOa of $P_2O_5$ as compared to those of at untreated plot. Cysteine and methionine were not influenced by gypsum applicaton not only in orchardgrass but also cysteine in alfalfa, however, the content of methionine in alfalfa was slightly increased at 2, 5, lOkg SIlOa and at 20kg SIlOa was reverse.