Comparison of Hydra-Hume™, Asset® RS, and SuperBio® AgBlend on Late Spring and Early Summer Alfalfa Yields and Quality

Abstract

Asset® RS, HydraHumeTM and SuperBio® Ag Blend were evaluated during several sequential alfalfa harvests for their effects on alfalfa yields and quality. Addition of Hydra-HumeTM or AgBlend when applied via chemigation appear to have slightly increased hay yields over the three cutting period by 0.12-0.22 tons/acre respectively when compared with an area of the field that received 10-34- 0 but was a different soil type. Addition of Asset® RS to Hydra-HumeTM did not provide any additional consistent yield increase in this study. Addition of Asset® RS resulted in increased hay quality as measured by protein levels, acid detergent fiber, total digestible nutrients, neutral detergent fiber and relative feed value. These parameters were often statistically different than the Hydra-HumeTM treatments. It is unknown if application of Asset® RS would result in similar or greater quality and yeild response alone or on another soil type. Different results for all products may occur if heavier soils are used for experimentation rather than sandy soils, as nutrient availability is affected by soil type and pH.