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Effects of Overirrigation on Growth and Quality of Alfalfa¹

Irrigation in excess of field capacity has long been recognized as a problem in the intermountain western U.S. Priority water rights and gravity flow systems provide cheap water in this region. In addition, there is a lack of adequate information concerning consequences of over irrigation on specific crops.

A field study on the effects of five irrigation regimes on growth and quality of ‘Thor’ alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) was conducted near Riverton, Wyoming, from 1974 through 1976. Irrigation levels were: 1) 90% of the available soil moisture depleted (AMD) and irrigated to field capacity (FC), 2) 50% AMD and irrigated to FC, 3) 10% AMD and irrigated to FC, 4) 50% AMD and irrigated to twice FC, and 5) 50% AMD and irrigated to four times FC.

Irrigation to two and four times FC reduced plot forage yield 1.26 and 1.97 metric tons/ha/year, respectively, compared to the driest treatment yield. Reduced yield did not result from a decrease in stand density. Further, high irrigation levels increased alfalfa forage P content and had no effect on percent of in vitro dry matter digestibility and percent protein.

These data provide practical field collected information on effects of Overirrigation on alfalfa production as necessary justification for alternative decisions on irrigation.

Key Words: Thor • Medicago sativa L. • Flood irrigation • Irrigation Scheduling • IVDMD • P • Ca • Proximate analysis

² Former research associate, associate professor of crop physiology, and former research associate at the Univ. of Wyoming.

Received for publication January 20, 1978.