Tag Archives: Medicago sativa

183-192 M. Pourebrahimi Foumani, H. Savoy, N. Atotey and X. Yin
Effect of potassium application rate and timing on alfalfa yield and potassium concentration and removal in Tennessee
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Effect of potassium application rate and timing on alfalfa yield and potassium concentration and removal in Tennessee

M. Pourebrahimi Foumani¹, H. Savoy², N. Atotey³ and X. Yin¹*

¹University of Tennessee, Department of Plant Sciences, West Tennessee Research and Education Centre, 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, TN 38301-320, USA
²University of Tennessee, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, 2506 E J. Chapman Dr, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
³University of Tennessee, Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, West Tennessee Research and Education Centre, 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson, TN 38301-320, USA
*Correspondence: xyin2@utk.edu

Abstract:

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage crop in the world and potassium plays a significant role in achieving high yields. A field experiment was conducted during the 2012–2014 growing seasons at the University of Tennessee in Springfield. The experimental design was a split-split plot that included four levels of potassium (K) application rates (0, 67.25, 134.50, and 269.00 kg K2O ha-1) as the main plots and two K application times (green-up and split) as the subplots, and harvest dates as sub-subplots. The results demonstrated that the dry matter yield (DM) increased significantly with each increment in K application rate up to 134.50 kg K2O ha-1; however, the highest K fertilizer application (269 kg K2O ha-1) did not result in a significant yield increase relative to 134.50 kg K2O ha-1, because some luxury consumption of K occurred at the highest rate due to yield leveling off while K2O uptake continued to rise. Potassium concentration and K removal increased with K fertilizer at rates beyond those that maximized yield, indicating luxury consumption of K. The greatest K concentration and removal were recorded at 269 kg K2O ha-1 in all harvest months. The split application was more beneficial than applying full K at the time of green-up due to higher dry matter, K concentration, and K removal in alfalfa. In conclusion, 134.50 kg K2O ha-1 is adequate for maximizing alfalfa yield; split application of K is sometimes superior to the single dose of K fertilizer in alfalfa production.

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27-39 G. Argenti, S. Parrini, N. Staglianò and R. Bozzi
Evolution of productive and biodiversity features in lucerne fields of different ages
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Evolution of productive and biodiversity features in lucerne fields of different ages

G. Argenti*, S. Parrini, N. Staglianò and R. Bozzi

University of Florence, School of Agriculture, DAGRI, P.le delle Cascine 18, 50144 Firenze, Italy
*Correspondence: giovanni.argenti@unifi.it

Abstract:

Medicago sativa is a legume forage crop characterized by high production of forage, with a notable nutritive value, but in mountain areas duration of the crop could be remarkably affected by severe environmental conditions. To assess the vegetation evolution of lucerne crops in relation to crop age, data from fields of lucerne of different ages were collected. The aim is the evaluation of lucerne productive performances, evolution of forage quality and assessment of recovery by autochthonous species that naturally recolonize the studied areas in relation to age of the cropped species. With increasing years, lucerne population was significantly decreased and replaced by different functional types of plants, such as perennial graminoids and short-lived forbs. Biodiversity increased significantly along time, and evolution of similarity indices demonstrated an evolution of vegetation toward that represented by reference grassland of the area. Productive characteristics of forage, in terms of aboveground biomass and quality, were negatively affected by age. Results permitted to assess the evolution of different features of lucerne for a mountain environment and to hypothesize the appropriate management for this resource, that could contemplate also the evolution towards the reconstitution of the reference habitat for the studied area.

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2613-2626 N. Telekalo and M. Melnyk
Agroecological substantiation of Medicago sativa cultivation technology
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Agroecological substantiation of Medicago sativa cultivation technology

N. Telekalo* and M. Melnyk

Vinnytsia National Agrarian University, Faculty of Agronomy and Forestry, Soniachna street 3, UA21008 Vinnytsia, Ukraine
*Correspondence: nataliiatelekalo@gmail.com

Abstract:

Medicago sativa is one of the most productive legumes, which provides high protein production. Application of the biostimulant and microfertilizers is quite relevant and effective. Theoretically substantiates and presents ways to solve the scientific problem of formation of Medicago sativa productivity and the impact on them of seed treatment and foliar nutrition, taking into account the conditions of the Forest-Steppe right bank of Ukraine. The research was conducted in the research field of Vinnytsia National Agrarian University in the village of Agronomichne, Vinnytsia district during 2016–2018. Sinyukha variety was sown (2010). There has been established that the use of pre-sowing treatment of seeds and crops of Medicago sativa with biostimulant and microfertilizer improves the conditions of growth and development of the crop and increases individual productivity. On the researches it is established that fodder productivity of Medicago sativa sowing is provided by application of biostimulators of growth and microfertilizers on crops, genetic potential the culture realized as much as possible on the 2nd year of cultivation. The effect of growth stimulants on Medicago sativa productivity was defined and the optimal combination of macro- and microelements in modern complex fertilizers was determined, which contributes to the maximum possible yield of Medicago sativa green mass. New technological regulations for the use of bioorganic preparations and components in the technological scheme of Medicago sativa cultivation have been developed. It was found that on average for three years of vegetation of Medicago sativa sown on gray forest soils in the Forest-Steppe Right Bank, the highest yield of seeds and green mass provides the option of treatment with biostimulator Saprogum® and microfertilizer Wuxal®. Creating optimal conditions for mineral nutrition for Medicago sativa plants through the use of bacterial fertilizers and foliar nutrition contributed not only to the formation of high grain yields, but also significantly improved biochemical parameters and, consequently, increased crude protein content in grain, which is important for solving the problem of vegetable protein and balancing the diets of farm animals. The research results are aimed at solving current problems of technological renewal and development of agro-industrial complex on the basis of development of bioorganic models of varietal technology of Medicago sativa cultivation with orientation at the level of adequate arable productivity and climate fertility.

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