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Carbohydrate Trends in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Roots under Several Forage Harvest Schedules¹

Nonstructural carbohydrate trends in ‘Buffalo’ alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots were compared in six harvest frequencies (8, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 cuts per year) for 2 years at Knoxville, Tenn. Carbohydrate levels in the first year were generally lowest when cut eight times, and the stand in this treatment was very sparse at the end of the first year. A depletion and replacement pattern of carbohydrates between harvests was usually evident, especially in the four-cut harvest frequency. The greatest drop in carbohydrate concentration usually occurred after the first harvest of the year. Under a uniform harvest schedule in the third year, the two-cut, three-cut, and four-cut treatments had the most vigorous and productive stands. Yield in the third year did not have a significant positive correlation with carbohydrate concentrations at the end of the second year.

Key Words: Total available carbohydrates • Total nonstructural carbohydrates • Starch • Carbohydrate reserves • Cutting frequency

² Associate Professor, Appreciation is expressed to Miles Laboratories, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana, for supplying Clarase 900 enzyme.

Received for publication July 29, 1970.