Productivity and Profitability of Alfalfa in Response to Phosphorus and Potassium in Association with Calcium and Magnesium and Harvest Management

Productivity and Profitability of Alfalfa in Response to Phosphorus and Potassium in Association with Calcium and Magnesium and Harvest Management
Author: Michael Baidoo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 230
Release: 2022
Genre: Agriculture
ISBN:

Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) have been well documented as key essential nutrients to increase alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production. However, other interrelated factors including cultivar, harvesting schedules, and relative levels of soil K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) can influence response of alfalfa to P and K. With the current increasing trend of fertilizer prices and under conditions of nutrient availability and uptake, productivity and profitability of alfalfa in response to P and K applications is yet to be further explored. Five different experiments were conducted to (a) determine the influence of K, cultivar, and harvest time on productivity of new alfalfa stands, (b) evaluate K and harvest time effects on forage production of old alfalfa stands, (c) investigate the impacts of P and K in association with Ca and Mg, and harvest management on alfalfa, (d) ascertain the impacts of P and K in combinations with Ca and Mg, and harvest management on alfalfa under controlled environments, and (e) assess the economic returns of P, K, Ca, and Mg fertilization on alfalfa under different harvest systems. Treatments were (a) Field study one: four K rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg K2O ha−1), two cultivars (“Hi-Gest 360”; “AFX 457”), and two harvest times (early harvest, late bud to early [10%] bloom; late harvest, 7 days after early harvest) with four replications, (b) Field study two: six K rates (0, 56, 112, 168, 224, and 280 kg K2O ha−1) and two harvest times (early harvest, late bud to early [10%] bloom; late harvest, 7 days after early harvest) with four replications, (c) Field study three: 18 selected combinations rates of three P (0, 34, and 67 kg P2O5 ha−1), three K (0, 168, and 336 kg K2O ha−1), two Ca (0 and 560 kg CaO ha−1), and two Mg (0 and 56 kg MgO ha−1); and two harvest times (early harvest, late bud to early [10%] bloom; late harvest, 7 days after early harvest) with three replications; and (d) Greenhouse study: six selected combinations rates of two P (0 and 67 kg P2O5 ha−1), two K (0 and 336 kg K2O ha−1), three Ca (0, 4483, and 8967 kg CaO ha−1), and three Mg (0, 448, and 897 kg MgO ha−1); and two harvest times (early harvest [30 to 40 growth days], late harvest [7 days after early harvest]) with five replications. For each study, the respective treatments were organized in factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design. For new alfalfa stands, there was a linear (P

Potassium and Harvest Management Effect on Productivity of Alfalfa

Potassium and Harvest Management Effect on Productivity of Alfalfa
Author: Michael Mintah Baidoo
Publisher:
Total Pages: 136
Release: 2019
Genre: Agriculture
ISBN: 9781085638487

Annual potassium (K) fertilization strategies should be based on time of harvest along with the initial nutritional status of the soil to sustain optimum alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate (a) K and harvest time effect on growth, yield, and nutritive value of alfalfa and (b) effect of K and harvest time on K uptake by alfalfa. Different K rates [0, 56, 112 and 168 (field study); 0, 56, 112, 168 and 224 kg K2O ha−1(greenhouse study)] were applied to alfalfa cultivars [“Hi-Gest 360”; “AFX 457”(field study); Hi-Gest 360 (greenhouse study)] and they were clipped at two harvest times (early harvest, late bud to early [10%] bloom; late harvest, 7 to 10 days after early harvest) under a randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement. Results from the field study showed that total annual forage accumulation was highest at 168 kg K2O ha−1 in early harvest and at 112 kg K2O ha−1 in late harvest. The 2-year average forage accumulation was higher [7.1 Mg dry matter (DM) ha-1] at 168 kg K2O ha−1 in early harvest than at 112 kg K2O ha−1 in late harvest (6.9 Mg DM ha-1). Similar results were also observed for K uptake by alfalfa indicating that K uptake has a direct relationship with alfalfa forage yield. Nutritive value was not affected (P > 0.05) by K throughout the study period probably due to the high initial soil test K levels. However, nutritive value became variable with more harvests at different harvest times. Overall, nutritional status of the soil, particularly K, was higher at the end of the study. The greenhouse study showed that higher K rate (224 kg K2O ha−1) produced higher forage accumulation (689 mg DM plant−1) and K uptake (26 mg K plant−1). The effect (P 0.05) of K on nutritive value is attributed to the low soil test K levels of the soils used in the greenhouse, which justifies the lack of nutritive value differences observed in the field study. Forage accumulation, nutritive value, and K uptake differed (P

Intermountain Alfalfa Management

Intermountain Alfalfa Management
Author: Steve B. Orloff
Publisher: UCANR Publications
Total Pages: 152
Release: 1997-06-01
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9781879906242

This comprehensive guide for western alfalfa growers brings together the most current information and recommendations in nearly all areas of alfalfa management, including stand establishment, fertilization, irrigation, pest management, and harvesting

Alfalfa Management Guide

Alfalfa Management Guide
Author: Dan Undersander
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2021-07-07
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 0891183477

Learn how to achieve top yields to maximize profits. This 2011 edition offers the latest information and strategies for alfalfa establishment, production, and harvest. Includes many color photos and charts.