Persistence of Several Temperate Grasses Grown with Alfalfa and Harvested Two, Three, or Four Times Annually at Two Stubble Heights¹

Abstract

Six grass species were established in 1968 in rows within a seeding of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) at Arlington, Wisconsin. The mixtures were harvested two, three, or four times annually at two stubble heights, 4 and 10 cm, during 1969 and 1970. Alfalfa was eliminated by spraying with a selective herbicide during autumn of 1970. Grasses were then evaluated for stand persistence and dry matter yields during the first growth of 1971.Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis L.) persisted well with alfalfa under all cutting schedules and stubble heights. Tall rescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) was nearly eliminated by cutting twice at the short stubble height, but persisted well in other treatments. Stands of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) were affected most by the cutting practices. Stands of both grasses were reduced more by three than four cuts annually and were significantly lower with both cutting schedules at the short than at tall stubble height; stands were nearly eliminated with three cuts at the short stubble height. With two cuts annually, cutting height had no significant effect on stand persistence, but timothy stands were poor at both stubble heights.Survival of the grasses as related to stage of development at time of cutting and to tillering pattern is discussed, especially with regard to their persistence with alfalfa under the three‐cutting schedule used widely in the northern Great Lakes States. Of the grasses studied, orchardgrass and reed canarygrass showed wide adaptability to all cutting practices used and were most amenable for use in mixture with alfalfa harvested three times annually.

Evaluation of Alfalfa–Tall Fescue Mixtures across Multiple Environments

“…Many experiments have evaluated aspects of grasslegume mixtures, starting in the 1940s (Åberg et al, 1943;Comstock and Law, 1948;Chamblee, 1958). Some species like orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) may compete effectively against alfalfa and dominate mixtures (Hamilton et al, 1969;Smith et al, 1973;Weil, 1988). For example, mixtures can exhibit more even seasonal growth distribution due to legumes compensating for slower grass growth in summer (Åberg et al, 1943;Chamblee, 1958;Sleugh et al, 2000).…”

“…For example, nitrogen uptake from soil by grasses and possible N immobilization by the microbial community could help stimulate N fixation and associated legume growth (Craig et al, 1981;Brophy et al, 1987;Nyfeler et al, 2011). Smith et al (1973) found that if tall fescue was cut at a short stubble height (4 cm) and only harvested twice a year, it was almost eliminated from alfalfa mixtures likely due to shading. Harvest interval also can affect grass-legume balance.…”

Persistence and productivity of orchardgrass and orchardgrass/alfalfa mixtures as affected by cutting height

“…Persistence of perennial grasses is defined as the ability of each tiller to produce on offspring annually such that members of the population replace themselves (Edwards & Chapman, ). Many studies use either tiller density (Raese & Decker, ; Volesky & Anderson, ) or per cent ground cover (Brink et al., ; Smith, Jaques, & Balasko, ) to determine the effects of various treatments on the persistence of swards. It is also known, however, that tiller density alone is not always related to the yield of swards (Davies, ).…”

Impact of Harvest Management on Forage Production and Nutrient Removal by Smooth Bromegrass on a Vegetated Treatment Area

“…Smooth bromegrass is used for hay and pasture throughout temperate North America [9]. It is an upright-growing perennial that spreads by rhizomes to produce a dense sod [10]. Vogel et al [11] summarized results from harvest management studies on smooth bromegrass and concluded that forage yields are maximized when the first harvest is after heading and subsequent harvests are infrequent.…”

“…Knievel et al [12] found that the highest seasonal herbage yields and best stands of smooth bromegrass in Wisconsin occurred when the first crop was cut at early anthesis. Smith et al [10] reported that stands of smooth bromegrass, growing with alfalfa, were nearly eliminated within three years when they were cut three times annually at a cutting height of 4 cm.…”