Evaluation of Forage Yield and Quality of Low-Lignin Alfalfa in Monoculture and Binary Mixtures in the Dark Brown Soil Zone of Saskatchewan
Files
Date
2020-03-10
Authors
Damiran, D.
Biligetu, B.
Pearce, L.
Lardner, H. A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Poster Presentation
Degree Level
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare low-lignin Hi-Gest® 360 alfalfa to a conventional legume in both monoculture and binary mixtures. Two varieties of alfalfa (monoculture) [Medicago sativa L. cv. AC Grazeland (Grazeland) and Hi-Gest 360 (Hi-Gest] or in mixture (binary) with AC Success hybrid bromegrass (HB) (Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB) were grown at a Dark Brown soil zone site (52o07′ N, 106o 38′ W) in Saskatchewan and harvested at 3 maturity stages (stage) of alfalfa [1 = 10% bloom; 2 = 40% bloom; and 3 = 100% bloom)] over 2 yr. Forage was harvested on June 21, June 25, and June 29 2018, and July 8, July 12, and July 16 2019. All plots were established in a randomized complete block design with four replications using forages as treatments. Plot size was 6.2 m × 1.2 m (7.44 m²) with 4 rows and total of 48 plots. Dry matter yield (DMY; 2-yr) and nutritive value (1-yr) of forages were determined. Results indicate that monoculture Hi-Gest alfalfa had greater (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP; 19.1 vs. 17.9%, DM basis), total digestible nutrients (TDN; 68.7 vs. 66.5%), ash (11.9 vs. 11.2%), relative feed value (RFV; 186 vs. 164), sugar (5.4 vs. 4.8 %), in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility after a 48-h incubation (IVNDFD48: 40.7 vs. 37.6%), but lower DMY (782 vs. 1058 kg/ha), acid detergent fibre (ADF: 25.9 vs. 28.8%), neutral detergent fibre (NDF: 34.6 vs. 38.1%), compared to AC Grazeland. Forage × maturity stage interaction was not observed (P > 0.05) for forage quantity and quality. However, forages at maturity stage 3 had greater DMY (1058 vs. 783 kg), but lower CP (17.6 vs. 19.6%) and IVNDFD48 (37.1 vs. 42.3%) than those at maturity stage 1. The sugar content of forages linearly increased (P < 0.05) according to maturity stage, averaging 4.4, 4.8, and 6.2%, respectively. In terms of quantity and quality, Hi-Gest alfalfa harvested at the stage 3 was very similar with AC Grazeland harvested at the stage 2 (commercial cut) suggesting that it may be possible to delay harvest to get higher CP with the same yield as from standard alfalfa varieties cut earlier. No differences (P > 0.05) observed between AC Grazeland+HB and Hi-Gest+HB mixtures for DMY or quality profiles. Monoculture had greater CP (18.5 vs. 12.0 %), ADFCP (2.5 vs. 1.5%), lignin (6.9 vs. 4.7%), fat (3.0 vs. 2.6%), RFV (174.8 vs. 91.8), NEm (1.6 vs. 1.3 Mcal/kg), NEg (0.96 vs. 0.77 Mcal/kg), but lower DMY (920 vs. 3343 kg/ha), ADF (27.4 vs. 35.9%), NDF (36.3 vs. 61.9%), starch (0.41 vs. 0.82%), and IVNDFD48 (39.2 vs. 50.7%), compared to binary mixtures. Results suggest that Hi-Gest alfalfa as a monoculture yielded less than AC Grazeland, however Hi-Gest monoculture had higher nutritive value than AC Grazeland, but was similar for yield and quality in mixture, suggesting Hi-Gest 360 alfalfa is a viable alternative legume for Dark Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan.
Description
Keywords
alfalfa, low-lignin, mixtures, nutritive value, variety
Citation
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Citation
Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop