Sod‐Seeding and Grazing Effects on Alfalfa Weevils, Weeds, and Forage Yields in Established Alfalfa

Autor: J. L. Caddel, J. F. Stritzke, D. Chad Cummings, Richard C. Berberet
Rok vydání: 2004
Předmět:
Zdroj: Agronomy Journal. 96:1216-1221
ISSN: 1435-0645
0002-1962
DOI: 10.2134/agronj2004.1216
Popis: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay production for dairy and equine industries is a profitable enterprise in the Great Plains. However, as stands thin, forage production decreases and weeds increase, resulting in decreased returns. The objective of this research was to determine if alternative management strategies using October sod seeding plus March grazing could be utilized to increase forage production and control pests. Experiments were conducted at four locations in central Oklahoma from 1998-2000. Two ungrazed treatments (with and without pesticides) were compared with three treatments without pesticides but grazed by cattle in March. The three grazing treatments included: no sod seed, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) sod-seeded in October, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) sod-seeded in October. Grazing by cattle reduced alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal) larval populations as effectively as insecticide application. In thin stands ( 250 stems m -2 ), net returns from conventional alfalfa management (using pesticides and only haying) were comparable to October sod seed plus March grazing treatments.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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