Effects of Irrigation Amount and Timing on Alfalfa Nutritive Value

Holman, Johnathon D.; Min, Doohong; Klocke, Norman L.; Kisekka, Isaya; Currie, R.

doi:10.13031/trans.59.11456

Cited by 15 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Our findings are supported by several previous investigations (Baral et al, 2022;Boyer, 1970;Diatta et al, 2021;Holman et al, 2016;Lindenmayer et al, 2011;Orloff et al, 2015;Peterson et al, 1992;Schneekloth & Andales, 2017;Shewmaker et al, 2011;Takele & Kallenbach, 2001;Undersander & Cosgrove, 2011), which found a positive correlation between alfalfa DMY and soil moisture. Schneekloth and Andales (2017), Shewmaker et al (2011), and Takele and Kallenbach (2001) claimed that alfalfa requires a significant amount of water compared to other field crops.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The correlation between soil moisture levels and CP content was negative but positive with ADF and NDF in a greenhouse experiment on alfalfa conducted in Quebec, Canada, by Petit et al (1992). This finding was further supported by field studies conducted in Southeast Kansas by Holman et al (2016) and in Northwest China by Li and Su (2017). Typically, when the concentrations of ADF and NDF increase, the consumption of forage tends to decrease.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

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Exploring the impact of soil water variability and varietal diversity on alfalfa yield, nutritional quality, and farm profitability

Baral,

Jagadish,

Hein

et al. 2023

Grassland Research

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BackgroundDespite high nutritional and economic value, alfalfa yield has not been improved in the United States. Soil moisture critically influences alfalfa's yield and quality, affecting its physiological processes, nutrient uptake, and stand growth. Additionally, the maturity stage at harvest can significantly impact both hay yield and quality. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effect of different soil moisture levels and harvesting times on forage yield, nutritive value, and the overall profitability of commercially cultivated alfalfa.MethodsTwo conventional and three lower‐lignin alfalfa varieties were planted in a randomized complete block with split plot design under drought, rainfed, and irrigation conditions in 2020 in Manhattan, Kansas, USA. The dry matter yield (DMY) and forage nutritive value were evaluated at late bud, early flowering, and 7 days after early flowering stages, respectively.ResultsDMY varied with production year, soil water availability, and growth stages, with drought conditions causing a decline in DMY of 5% to 38% in the second production year. Water conditions and maturity stages influenced crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Higher soil moisture and advancing maturity stages negatively impacted CP, IVDMD, and relative forage quality. The study revealed net profit margins of 62%, 64%, and 52% for drought‐prone, rainfed, and irrigated production, respectively.ConclusionsHarvest timing and irrigation practices were found to have substantial implications for forage yield and nutritive value of alfalfa. The yield‐quality trade‐off differed under drought and irrigation, with early harvesting leading to lower yields but higher protein content and digestibility. The study findings provide potential guidance for improving alfalfa hay yield, quality, and profitability.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 72%

Exploring the impact of soil water variability and varietal diversity on alfalfa yield, nutritional quality, and farm profitability

Baral,

Jagadish,

Hein

et al. 2023

Grassland Research

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“…Average nutritive value reported for canola in this study ( e.g., CP, ∼200 g kg −1 ; ADF, ∼340 g kg −1 ; relative feed value index, ∼150; and other nutritive value parameters) indicate that canola has relatively high nutritive value compared to annual forage grass species such as wheat (Holman et al, 2009(Holman et al, , 2010, forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench; Holman, Obour, & Mengel, 2019), oat (Avena L.; Obour, Holman, & Schlegel, 2019), and triticale (Obour, Holman, & Schlegel, 2020). The nutritive values reported for canola are comparable to ∼211, ∼316, and ∼422 g kg −1 CP, ADF, and NDF values, respectively, reported for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage (Holman, Min, Klocke, Kisekka, & Currie, 2016). Due to its greater relative feed value compared to wheat (Begna et al, 2017;Heer, 2006), canola has the potential to be a forage crop in rotation or in combination with winter wheat in the U.S. Great Plains and similar regions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 75%

Canola yield, forage accumulation, and nutritive value in dual‐purpose and companion cropping

et al. 2020

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Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) production has increased in the Great Plains as producers seek a rotational and alternative crop to winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L). However, limited information is available if canola could be used for dual‐purpose without significantly affecting grain yield. The objectives of this study were to (a) investigate dual‐purpose potential and (b) impact of companion crops on growth, survival, biomass, and grain yield of canola. The study was conducted in 2011 and 2012 at Garden City, KS. The experimental design of the study was a randomized complete block design with split‐plot arrangement. Main plot treatments were a factorial of canola cultivars (Griffin or Wichita) and companion crop treatments (none, spring triticale [× Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus], winter triticale, radish [Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin], and turnip [Brassica rapa var. rapa L.]), and the split‐plot treatments were single‐purpose (grain only) or dual‐purpose (grain and forage) management. Averaged across cultivars and years, grain yield was 70% greater when canola was used for single‐purpose (grain‐only) compared with dual‐purpose. Griffin grain yield tended to be relatively greater than Wichita in dual‐purpose use. Averaged across the two years, turnip as a companion crop decreased canola yield by 38% but resulted in greater forage accumulation. In conclusion, dual‐purpose canola has a grain yield penalty, but effects may vary by cultivar. Companion cropping did not benefit canola and in some cases negatively affected grain yield. When grain production is the primary objective, both companion cropping and forage use should be avoided.

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“…The introduced indicator of the alfalfa quality yield effectively evaluates the trade-off between quality content and hay yield under PRDSDI and CSDI, serving as a practical tool for informed decision-making at both the farm and policy levels. This indicator has found utility in forage field management and other natural grassland ecosystems ( Holman et al., 2016 ; Wang et al., 2020 ; Kamran et al., 2022 ), as well as in other natural grassland ecosystems ( Wang et al., 2011 ; Grant et al., 2014 ; Schaub et al., 2020 ; Li et al., 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Partial root-zone drying subsurface drip irrigation increased the alfalfa quality yield but decreased the alfalfa quality content

Wang,

Xu,

et al. 2024

Front. Plant Sci.

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Water shortage seriously restricts the development of grassland agriculture in arid land and dramatically impacts alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) quality content and hay yield. Reasonable irrigation methods have the potential to enhance the alfalfa quality content, hay yield, and thus quality yield. Whether partial root-zone drying subsurface drip irrigation (PRDSDI) improves the alfalfa quality yield, quality content, and hay yield is still unknown compared with conventional subsurface drip irrigation (CSDI). The effects of PRDSDI compared with that of CSDI and the interaction with irrigation volume (10 mm/week, 20 mm/week, and 30 mm/week) on the alfalfa quality yield were investigated in 2017–2018 and explained the change in quality yield with the alfalfa quality content and hay yield. Here, the results showed that PRDSDI did not increase the alfalfa quality yield in 2 years. PRDSDI significantly increased acid detergent fiber by 13.3% and 12.2% in 2018 with 10-mm and 20-mm irrigation volumes and neutral detergent fiber by 16.2%, 13.2%, and 12.6% in 2017 with 10-mm, 20-mm, and 30-mm irrigation volumes, respectively. PRDSDI significantly decreased the crude protein by 5.4% and 8.4% in 2018 with 10-mm and 20-mm irrigation volumes and relative feed value by 15.0% with 20-mm irrigation volume in 2017 and 9.8% with 10-mm irrigation volume in 2018, respectively. In addition, PRDSDI significantly increased the alfalfa average hay yield by 49.5% and 59.6% with 10-mm and 20-mm irrigation volumes in 2018, respectively. Our results provide a counterexample for PRDSDI to improve crop quality. Although there was no significant improvement in average quality yield by PRDSDI, the positive impact of average hay yield on quality yield outweighed the negative impact of quality content. Thus, it has the potential to improve quality yields. The novel findings regarding the effects of PRDSDI on quality yield are potentially favorable for the forage feed value in water-limited areas.

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Effects of Irrigation Amount and Timing on Alfalfa Nutritive Value

Abstract: ABSTRACT. Most hay producers in southwest Kansas

Cited by 15 publications

References 22 publications

Exploring the impact of soil water variability and varietal diversity on alfalfa yield, nutritional quality, and farm profitability

Exploring the impact of soil water variability and varietal diversity on alfalfa yield, nutritional quality, and farm profitability

Canola yield, forage accumulation, and nutritive value in dual‐purpose and companion cropping

Partial root-zone drying subsurface drip irrigation increased the alfalfa quality yield but decreased the alfalfa quality content

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