Performance of Middle-Eastern Alfalfas Using Traditional and Southwestern Harvest Management Practices

Abstract

The nondormant alfalfa cultivars now grown in Arizona trace largely to a small number of alfalfas introduced from the Middle East. Middle Eastern alfalfas regrow rapidly primarily from crown shoots following harvest and produce high yields during late fall, winter and early spring. Harvest management may have a significant effect on the persistence and yields of Middle - Eastern alfalfas under Arizona conditions. In the Middle East, alfalfa is frequently harvested at the bud stage and little stubble is left. In this experiment we compared the yield and persistence of Middle Eastern alfalfa ecotypes under traditional Middle - Eastern (bud stage + 2 cm stubble) and Southwestern harvest management (10% bloom + 10-15 cm stubble), and a regime with elements of both primary systems (bud stage + 10-15 cm stubble). Only slight differences in yield or persistence were observed between the management systems in the most nondormant entries, however, some ecotypes produced significantly more forage than Lew. No apparent advantages were noted for harvest leaving 2 cm stubble. Elevated yields of high quality forage would be produced with bud stage harvest and 10-15 cm stubble in most Middle Eastern ecotypes.