Alfalfa establishment in silage corn verses conventional production systems

Authors: Grabber, John; Bjorneberg, David - Dave; Rogers, Christopher

Submitted to: ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2023
Publication Date: 10/29/2023
Citation: Grabber, J.H., Bjorneberg, D.L., Rogers, C.W. 2023. Alfalfa establishment in silage corn verses conventional production systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting Abstracts. October 29-November 1, 2023.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment by intercropping with a corn (Zea mays L.) silage companion crop is being developed to improve the productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability of forage production. This two-year study carried out under normal to dry conditions in Wisconsin and semiarid irrigated conditions in Idaho compared establishment and initial dry matter yields of three solo-seeding methods for alfalfa (spring-seeded, summer-seeded after barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), or late summer/early fall-seeded after corn silage) to four alfalfa-corn silage intercropping methods. Alfalfa was interseeded at corn planting or the VE stage and grown with or without prohexadione. Spring seeded and interseeded alfalfa in Wisconsin also received foliar fungicide and insecticide during establishment. Average dry matter yields of intercropped corn silage were 18.8% lower with early interseeding and 6.6% lower with late interseeding compared to solo-seeded corn. Dry matter yields of intercropped corn were, however, 1.8- to 4.4-fold greater than establishment-year yields of spring-seeded alfalfa or barley grain and straw grown prior to summer-seeded alfalfa. Following establishment, stand density of spring-seeded alfalfa were somewhat higher than interseeded alfalfa but first year yields were comparable if the corn silage companion crop was harvested early to allow ample fall regrowth of interseeded alfalfa. The timing of interseeding and prohexadione application had little impact on alfalfa establishment. While having high plant density, alfalfa seeded after barley or especially corn had less fall growth and relatively low first cut yield. Overall, alfalfa establishment and yield of the intercropping system compared favorably with solo-seeded alfalfa systems.