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Effect of Seeding Rate and Weed Control on Glyphosate-Resistant Alfalfa Establishment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Calvin F. Glaspie ,
S. Ann McCordick ,
Timothy S. Dietz ,
James J. Kells ,
Richard H. Leep  and
Wesley J. Everman
Calvin F. Glaspie
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 478 Plant and Soil Science, East Lansing, MI 48824
S. Ann McCordick
Affiliation:
Syngenta Crop Protection 140 Research Lane, Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Z3Canada
Timothy S. Dietz
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 478 Plant and Soil Science, East Lansing, MI 48824
James J. Kells*
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 478 Plant and Soil Science, East Lansing, MI 48824
Richard H. Leep
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 478 Plant and Soil Science, East Lansing, MI 48824
Wesley J. Everman
Affiliation:
Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University, 478 Plant and Soil Science, East Lansing, MI 48824
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: kells@msu.edu.
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Abstract

The introduction of glyphosate-resistant (GR) alfalfa offers a new weed management system for alfalfa establishment; however, alfalfa seeding rates are based on conventional cultivars. Determining optimum seeding rates allows forage producers to maximize yield, quality, and profitability with GR alfalfa. Field experiments were established in 2005 and 2006 to determine the effect of seeding rate and weed control on GR alfalfa yield, forage quality, and persistence up to 3 yr after establishment. Seeding rates of 4.5, 9.0, and 18 kg ha−1 were evaluated. Weed control methods during the seeding year included no herbicide, glyphosate applied once before the first harvest, and glyphosate applied once before the first harvest and then 7 to 10 d following subsequent harvests. Alfalfa yield was greater at higher seeding rates and when weeds were removed with glyphosate. Season forage yields were the greatest with the 18 kg ha−1 seeding rate and where no herbicide was applied. Weed biomass often was lower at the higher seeding rates and was 91 to 98% lower in the glyphosate treatments compared to the nontreated. Forage quality was not affected by seeding rate but varied by herbicide treatment depending on establishment year. Plant density increased with seeding rate and treatment effects persisted for three growing seasons. Herbicide treatment did not affect stand density as greatly as seeding rate and did not influence stand longevity.

La introducción de alfalfa resistente al glifosato (GR) ofrece un nuevo sistema de manejo de malezas para el establecimiento del cultivo; sin embargo, las densidades de siembra para la alfalfa se basan en cultivares convencionales. Determinar las densidades óptimas de siembra permitiría a los productores de forraje maximizar el rendimiento, calidad y rentabilidad de la alfalfa GR. En 2005 y 2006, se establecieron estudios de campo para determinar el efecto de la densidad de siembra y el control de malezas en el rendimiento, calidad del forraje y la persistencia de alfalfa resistente al glifosato hasta tres años después del establecimiento. Se evaluaron densidades de siembra de 4.5, 9.0 y 18 kg ha−1. Los métodos de control de maleza durante el año de la siembra incluyeron: 1) ningún herbicida, 2) glifosato aplicado una vez antes de la primera cosecha y 3) glifosato aplicado una vez antes de la cosecha y de 7 a 10 días después de las cosechas subsecuentes. A mayores densidades de siembra, el rendimiento de la alfalfa también fue mayor, así como cuando se eliminaron las malezas con glifosato. Los rendimientos de forraje fueron mayores con una densidad de siembra de 18 kg ha−1 y donde no se aplicó ningún herbicida. Frecuentemente, la biomasa de la maleza fue menor a mayores densidades de siembra y fue de 91 a 98% más baja con los tratamientos de glifosato, en comparación con los testigos no tratados. La calidad del forraje no se vio afectada por la densidad de siembra, pero varió de acuerdo al tratamiento de herbicida, dependiendo del año de establecimiento. La densidad de las plantas se incrementó con la densidad de siembra y los efectos del tratamiento persistieron durante 3 temporadas de cultivo. El tratamiento con herbicida no afectó la densidad de la parcela tanto como la densidad de siembra, y no influyó en la longevidad de la misma.

Keywords

AlfalfaMedicago sativa L.Biomass yieldforage qualityglyphosateherbicideseeding rate
Type
Weed Management—Other Crops/Areas
Information
Weed Technology , Volume 25 , Issue 2 , June 2011 , pp. 230 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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