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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Soil and Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #307670
Title: Reducing water inputs with subsurface drip irrigation may improve alfalfa nutritive value

Author
item HARMONEY, KEITH - Kansas State University
item LAMM, FREDDIE - Kansas State University
item JOHNSON, SANDY - Kansas State University
item ABOUKHEIRA, ABDRABBO - National Research Centre

Submitted to: Forage and Grazinglands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/16/2012
Publication Date: 1/1/2013
Citation: Harmoney, K.R., Lamm, F.R., Johnson, S.K., Aboukheira, A.A. 2013. Reducing water inputs with subsurface drip irrigation may improve alfalfa nutritive value. Forage and Grazinglands. 11(1)8 p. doi:10.1094/FG-2013-117-01-RS.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage crop for western Kansas dairy producers. Concerns over decreasing groundwater supplies have prompted the need to develop more efficient methods of irrigation. We investigated the effects of a subsurface drip irrigation system at three levels of water inputs [70, 85, and 100% of plant evapotranspiration rates] on alfalfa production and nutritive value. Alfalfa was harvested at 0, 15, and 30 inches from established subsurface driplines within each of the three irrigation levels. Crude protein concentration and in situ dry matter disappearance were found to be different at different irrigation rates and dripline distance combinations and tended to be greater at greater distances from the dripline and at the lowest irrigation level. Fiber concentrations tended to be lower at greater distances from the dripline and at the lowest irrigation level. Alfalfa yield was similar at all dripline distances and at all irrigation levels in 2005 and 2007, but alfalfa yield was greater 0 inches from the dripline compared to 30 inches from the dripline in 2006. We conclude that alfalfa can be irrigated with subsurface drip systems at the lower two irrigation rates without sacrificing yield or forage nutritive value.