Effects of foliar fertilizers and carbohydrates on alfalfa yields and quality during the summer slump period

Abstract

Six treatments containing carbohydrates and/or fertilizer were applied to alfalfa shortly after cutting in July 2002 to help ascertain if foliar applied carbohydrates would be helpful in overcoming summer slump of alfalfa hay production in the desert southwest. No significant differences were noted for any treatment for yield or quality when compared with the untreated check, although a trend for increased quality from treatments was noted. Highest yielding treatment was DC34, which increased tonnage by less than 0.1 tons/acre compared with the untreated check. DC34 was also among the highest in alfalfa quality. Alfalfa treated with Amaze® had the highest quality, but no affect on yield. As applications were made when little green foliage was available, most of the applied treatments did not actually contact green tissue but brown/dessicated alfalfa tissue or bare soil. Applying treatments during the regrowth cycle when more foliage is available may result in improved results as suggested by the trends noted from this experiment's treatments, however further testing will be necessary to verify such results.