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

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free 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 HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Malinowski, D. P. Articles by Butler, T. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Malinowski, D. P. Articles by Butler, T. J. Agricola Articles by Malinowski, D. P. Articles by Butler, T. J. Related Collections Forage Management Water Stress Alfalfa

Alfalfa

Supplemental Irrigation and Fall Dormancy Effects on Alfalfa Productivity in a Semiarid, Subtropical Climate with a Bimodal Precipitation Pattern

^a Texas Agric. Exp. Stn., P.O. Box 1658, Vernon, TX 76385
^b Beijing Research and Dev. Ctr. for Grass and Environment, Beijing Academy of Agric. and Forestry Sci., Beijing 100097, P.R. China
^c The Samuel Roberts Noble Fdn., 2510 Sam Noble Pkwy., Ardmore, OK 73401

^* Corresponding author (d-malinowski{at}tamu.edu)

Received for publication February 21, 2006. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important hay crop produced under rain-fed conditions or various levels of irrigation in the southern Great Plains of the USA. The objective of this study was to determine the role of fall dormancy (FD) on productivity and forage nutritive value of alfalfa in rain-fed and supplemental irrigation systems in a semiarid, subtropical climate with a bimodal pattern of precipitation. Cultivars with FD ratings of 1 to 3 (dormant), 4 to 6 (moderately dormant), and 7 to 8 (nondormant) were planted in November 2001 on a Miles fine sandy loam (fine-loamy, mixed, Thermic Udic Paleustalfs) near Vernon, Texas in two adjacent, randomized, complete-block experiments representing rain-fed and supplemental irrigation systems. In the supplemental irrigation system, water was supplied during April to October to meet the long-term average monthly precipitation. During 2002–2005, plants were defoliated to 5 cm height at 5 to 15% bloom in all cultivars. In the rain-fed system, FD had no effect on productivity (5.6–6.0 Mg ha^–1). Nondormant cultivars produced higher dry matter yield (20.2 Mg ha^–1) than dormant cultivars (15.9 Mg ha^–1) under supplemental irrigation. Moderately dormant cultivars were intermediate (18.6 Mg ha^–1). Forage nutritive value was greater in the spring (rain-fed) or spring and autumn (supplemental irrigation) than in the summer. Weather patterns and harvest time interacted with FD in determining forage nutritive value under supplemental irrigation. Cultivars with FD ratings of 5 to 8 may be used in similar environments of the southern Great Plains to maximize productivity of alfalfa.

Abbreviations: a.i., active ingredient • CP, crude protein • DM, dry matter • FD, fall dormancy • IVDMD, in vitro dry matter digestibility

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. P. Muir, T. J. Butler, R. M. Wolfe, and J. R. Bow Harvest Techniques Change Annual Warm-Season Legume Forage Yield and Nutritive Value Agron. J., May 7, 2008; 100(3): 765 - 770. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]