Interplanting grasses into alfalfa controls weeds in older stands

Abstract

In this mixture of oat and alfalfa In Lassen County, the oats were allowed to partially mature since the hay was sold to the horse market, where some oat grain is desirable. Oats were broadcast in this established alfalfa field and the area disked to bury the seed. The oats emerging in the open gaps prevent weeds from filling In.

Winter Annual Weed Control with Herbicides in Alfalfa-Orchardgrass Mixtures

“…Alfalfa-orchardgrass competes well with weeds so weed densities are typically low and have minimal effect on alfalfaorchardgrass yield (Prather et al 2000). Although weeds rarely affect yield, a small percentage of weeds in an alfalfaorchardgrass field can dramatically reduce price and marketability.…”