HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Smith, S. R. Articles by Hoveland, C. S. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Smith, S. R., Jr. Articles by Hoveland, C. S. Agricola Articles by Smith, S. R. Articles by Hoveland, C. S.

Persistence of Alfalfa under Continuous Grazing in Pure Stands and in Mixtures with Tall Fescue

Plant Science Dep., Univ. of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3T 2N2
Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602

^* Corresponding author.

Some alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) germplasms and cultivars have shown long-term persistence under continuous grazing in pure stands in the southeastern USA, but interspecies competition with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreber) may result in stand declines. We tested the persistence and forage productivity of alfalfa cultivars and a germplasm that differed in grazing tolerance under continuous grazing in pure and mixed stands with tall rescue. All stands were subjected to severe, continuous grazing by beef cattle (Bos taurus or cross bred) for 20 wk in each of 3 yr on a Cecil sandy loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludult). After 3 yr of continuous grazing, GAWCG, Alfagraze, Spredor II, and Apollo had 57, 41, 5 and 4 plants m^–2 in pure stands and 17, 9, 0, and 1 in mixed stands, respectively. Total forage production, spring hay yields, and regrowth under exclosures (cattle excluded) did not differ for pure and mixed stands the first season, but the Alfagraze-tall rescue mixture had the highest production the second season. Alfalfa composition of mixed stands of Alfagraze and GA-WCG averaged 71% during the first growing season, 32% during the second, and 27% at the beginning of the third grazing season, while Apollo and Spredor II composition averaged 62, I0, and 1% for the same periods. Alfagraze and GA-WCG maintained higher levels of root carbohydrates during continuous grazing than Apollo and Spredor II during the first grazing season. Alfalfa tolerant to grazing in pure stands also had superior persistence under severe, continuous grazing in mixed stands with tall fescue.

Received for publication July 24, 1991.