Crop Science Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
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Published in Crop Sci 11:9-12 (1971)
© 1971 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Response of Alfalfa (Medicago spp.) to Light Interruption of the Dark Period1

M. A. Massengale, A. K. Dobrenz, H. A. Brubaker and A. E. Bard, Jr.2

The influence of light interruption of the dark period on flowering and certain growth characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) was studied under field conditions at Tucson, Ariz.

One light interruption of 30 min in the middle of the dark period caused significant differences in flowering percentage, height, and dry-weight production of specific cultivars. Alfalfa plants that were grown under light interruption had smaller crowns, flowered earlier and more profusely, and produced less dry matter compared to plants grown under natural daylength.

Seasonal temperatures influenced the effects of light interruption of the dark period. Differences between light treatments with respect to flowering were most evident during shorter natural daylengths which coincided with the cooler growth periods, while differences in production of dry matter were most evident when maximum and minimum temperatures were highest.

Light interruption of the dark period can be used to obtain more rapid and complete flowering of alfalfa under field conditions.

Key Words: Crown diameter • Cultivars • Dormancy • Flowering • Growth • Light-interruption

1 Contribution from the Department of Agronomy, University of Arizona. Tucson, Ariz, as Journal Paper No. 1609 of the Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station.

2 Professor and Head, Professor, formerly Graduate Assistant in Research (now Field Crop Superintendent, Bruce Church, Inc., Yuma Arizona). and Graduate Associate in Research, respectively, Department of Agronomy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz. 85721.

Received for publication February 11, 1970.




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