Effect of Cutting Interval and Stage of Maturity on the Digestibility and Yield of Alfalfa2

Weir, W. C.; Jones, L. G.; Meyer, James H.

doi:10.2527/jas1960.1915

Cited by 33 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…These results were expected, and agree with findings from previous studies demonstrating an increase in NDF concentrations as harvest intervals are lengthened (Weir et al, 1960;Hall et al, 2000;Kallenbach et al, 2002;Brink et al, 2010;Min, 2016). As the cutting interval was increased from 28 to 49 d, Min (2016) reported increasing NDF concentrations from 277 to 455 g kg -1 .…”

Section: Neutral Detergent Fibersupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Previous studies have made similar conclusions, showing decreasing fiber or DMD digestibility as harvest intervals increased (Weir et al, 1960;Nordkvist and Åman, 1986;Hall et al, 2000;Brink et al, 2010;Palmonari et al, 2014). Hall et al (2000) reported a drop in DMD by 43 g kg -1 across four weekly sampling periods, and Palmonari et al (2014) reported a reduction in NDFD levels from 440 to 340 g kg -1 as the harvest interval increased from 21 to 35 d. Similar to the other forage nutritive value components, the decrease in NDFD with increasing harvest intervals can be attributed to advancing plant maturity.…”

Section: Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibilitysupporting

confidence: 66%

“…Findings from previous studies have also shown that lignin concentrations increase as harvest intervals are lengthened (Weir et al, 1960;Nordkvist and Åman, 1986;Palmonari et al, 2014). As harvest intervals increased from 21 to 35 d, Palmonari et al (2014) reported an increase in lignin concentrations from 63 to 73 g kg -1 .…”

Section: Acid Detergent Ligninmentioning

confidence: 67%

“…This agrees with findings from previous studies examining the CP content of alfalfa under various harvest frequencies. It has been well-documented that CP content declines as harvest intervals are lengthened (Weir et al, 1960;Nordkvist and Åman, 1986;Hall et al, 2000;Kallenbach et al, 2002;Yu et al, 2003;Palmonari et al, 2014;Min, 2016). In Kansas, Min (2016) reported that delaying a 28-d harvest by 5 or 18 d reduced CP concentrations by 4 and 6%, respectively.…”

Section: Forage Nutritive Value Crude Proteinmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Reduced Lignin and Reference Alfalfa Cultivars

et al. 2017

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Core Ideas Reduced lignin and reference cultivars did not differ in forage accumulation. Forage accumulation was greater with a fall harvest or a 40‐d cutting schedule. Reduced lignin alfalfa averaged 8% less acid detergent lignin and 10% greater neutral detergent fiber digestibility. Cutting treatments with shorter harvest intervals increased forage nutritive value. Delaying reduced lignin alfalfa harvest increased forage mass and maintained quality. Reduced lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars have the potential to increase the feeding value of alfalfa for livestock by improving forage fiber digestibility and to increase harvest management flexibility. The objectives were to compare the forage accumulation and nutritive value of reduced lignin and reference alfalfa cultivars when subject to diverse cutting treatments in the establishment and first production year. Research was established in 2015 at four locations in Minnesota. Reference alfalfa cultivars 54R02, DKA43–22RR, WL 355.RR, and the reduced lignin cultivar 54HVX41 were subject to cutting treatments with variable intervals between harvests. Cultivar by cutting treatment interactions were not significant (P > 0.05), but cultivar and cutting treatment effects were significant. Cultivars did not consistently differ in forage accumulation. Establishment year forage accumulation was greater when a fall harvest was taken, and first production year forage accumulation was generally greatest when alfalfa was harvested on a 40‐d cutting schedule. Compared to reference alfalfa cultivars, 54HVX41 had an average of 8% less acid detergent lignin (ADL) and 10% greater neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) but was similar in crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations. Cutting treatments with shorter harvest intervals increased forage CP and NDFD and decreased NDF and ADL concentrations. With a 5‐d harvest delay, 54HVX41 harvested on a 35‐d harvest interval had a 21% gain in forage mass and a 3% reduction in relative forage quality (RFQ) compared to reference cultivars harvested on a 30‐d harvest interval, which could allow for increased management flexibility.

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Section: Neutral Detergent Fibersupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibilitysupporting

confidence: 66%

Section: Acid Detergent Ligninmentioning

confidence: 67%

Section: Forage Nutritive Value Crude Proteinmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Reduced Lignin and Reference Alfalfa Cultivars

et al. 2017

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“…Our findings support some researcher's reports Yu et al (2003), Polat et al (2007), Aksoy and Nursoy (2010) reported that hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, which are important cell wall components of forage fiber, have a negative effect on digestibility and related with this on energy values. The highest value of average NEL was determined Weir et al (1960), Manga (1978), Yolcu et al (2000), Yu et al (2003), Sayan et al (2004), Cozzi et al (2005), Özyigit and Bilen (2006), Dolezal andSkladanka (2008) Homolko et al (2008), Canbolat and Karaman (2009), Aksoy and Nursoy (2010), Pop et al (2010) in some legumes. NDF is composed of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.…”

Section: Chemical Composition Of Alfalfamentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of feed value of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) harvested at different maturity stages

Karayilanli

Ayhan

2016

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The aim of this study was to determine the green herbage and dry herbage yield, chemical and nutritional values and RFV of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at different stages of maturity under Isparta ecological conditions in 2012. To achieve this goal random sampling plots was created according to an experimentation pattern, and the number of harvests was determined according to regional conditions. In chemical analysis, the following samples were analyzed for Dry Matter (DM), Crude Protein (CP), Ether Extract (EE), Ash, Crude Fiber (CF), Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE), Notral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), as well as macro and micro minerals. The highest total green herbage yield was 9609.33 kg/da during the budding period, which decreased by 28% with maturity. The highest total dry matter yield, which depends on hay yield, was determined as 1742.63 kg/da at the beginning of the flowering period. The highest CP was determined during the budding period and decreased with maturity. DM, CS, NDF and ADF content increased while ash, Digestible Dry Matter (DDM), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Metabolisable Energy (ME), Net Energy Lactation (NEL), and Digestible Energy (DE) content decreased with maturity. The highest RFV was determined during budding and the beginning of the flowering periods. Taking both yield and feed value results into consideration based on Isparta's conditions, the best harvesting period of alfalfa was determined to be at the beginning of the flowering period.

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Phosphorus–potassium interactions with calcium, magnesium, and harvest timing in alfalfa production systems

Baidoo,

Islam

2024

Agronomy Journal

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The interaction between phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) significantly influences alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production. However, our understanding of this interaction in soils with high levels of exchangeable K, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) remains limited. The interplay between soil P, K, Ca, and Mg, along with harvest timing, can affect the availability and uptake of P and K, leading to varied yield responses. Field research was conducted at the University of Wyoming James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center at Lingle, WY, to investigate this complex interaction and its impact on alfalfa production from 2019 to 2021. Treatments included (i) 18 selected combinations (kg ha−1) of three levels of P (0, 34, and 67 P2O5), three levels of K (0, 168, and 336 K2O), two levels of Ca (0 and 560 CaO), and two levels of Mg (0 and 56 MgO); and (ii) two harvest schedules (early harvest, late bud to early [10%] bloom; late harvest, 7–10 days after early harvest [∼100% bloom]). Treatments were factorially (18 × 2) arranged in randomized complete blocks with three replications. Under low levels of soil Ca and Mg, the 67 P2O5 and 336 K2O (kg ha−1 year−1) treatment produced the highest early harvest yield responses, while the 34 P2O5 and 336 K2O (kg ha−1 year−1) treatment excelled in late harvest yield. Alfalfa fertilized with 67 P2O5 and 336 K2O (kg ha−1 year−1) consistently achieved significant late harvest yield response in soils with high levels of Ca and Mg, leading to profitable forage production. Similar trends in P and K uptake were observed, indicating that fertilizing alfalfa with P and K can enhance productivity and profits even in soils rich in K, Ca, and Mg levels. In Wyoming and similar regions, we recommend that alfalfa growers and stakeholders consider soil nutritional status—particularly the relative exchangeable levels of K, Ca, and Mg—and harvest timing to develop P and K fertility programs for sustainable production and profitability.

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Effect of Cutting Interval and Stage of Maturity on the Digestibility and Yield of Alfalfa2

Cited by 33 publications

References 0 publications

Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Reduced Lignin and Reference Alfalfa Cultivars

Forage Accumulation and Nutritive Value of Reduced Lignin and Reference Alfalfa Cultivars

Investigation of feed value of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) harvested at different maturity stages

Phosphorus–potassium interactions with calcium, magnesium, and harvest timing in alfalfa production systems

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