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Effects of Weed Control in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on Forage Yield and Quality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Dennis R. Cosgrove  and
Michael Barrett
Dennis R. Cosgrove
Affiliation:
Dep. Crop and Soil Sci., Michigan State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824
Michael Barrett
Affiliation:
Dep. Crop and Soil Sci., Michigan State Univ., E. Lansing, MI 48824
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Abstract

The effects of weed control measures in established alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on forage yield and quality were investigated at three sites with varying alfalfa densities and weed populations. Herbicide treatments were 0.56 and 1.12 kg/ha metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] applied in fall or spring, respectively, 1.68 kg/ha pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] applied in fall, and combinations of these treatments. First-harvest forage yields (weeds plus alfalfa) were either reduced or unchanged by herbicide treatments. Total forage yield was not altered by the herbicide treatments, but first-harvest and total alfalfa yield as well as first-harvest forage protein content were increased by several treatments, depending on stand density and weed pressure. Little effect was observed on in vitro digestible dry matter or acid detergent fiber content.

Keywords

Metribuzinpronamideproteindigestible dry matteracid detergent fiber
Type
Weed Control and Herbicide Technology
Information
Weed Science , Volume 35 , Issue 4 , July 1987 , pp. 564 - 567
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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