88
Alfalfa Variety Trial
Klamath Experiment Station, 1988
R.L. Dovel and J. Raineyl
INTRODUCTION
This trial was established to evaluate the ability of alfalfa varieties
to yield and persist in the Klamath Basin. Yield and persistence will be
monitored over a five-year period.
PROCEDURES
Plots were established in August 1986. The trial consists of 48
released and experimental alfalfa varieties arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Soil samples from the plots
were analyzed and the appropriate fertilizer applied prior to planting. A
tank mix of EPTC and benefin was applied prior to planting at 3 and 1.2 lb
a.i./A, respectively. Immediately after application the herbicide was
incorporated by disking. Seed was drilled to a depth of 1/4 inch using a
modified Kincaid drill at a rate of 20 lbs/A. Plots were 5 x 30 feet with
5-foot borders and alleyways. Alfalfa was sprinkler irrigated with a solid
set system during establishment and throughout the first and second growing
seasons.
The plants were allowed to grow uncut through the first growing season.
Plots were harvested in 1987 and 1988 when plants reached early bud. Plots
were harvested using a flail harvester with a three-foot-wide head. All
yields are reported on a dry weight basis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Little difference in yield occurred between most varieties during the
first two years of this study. Yield data over a two-year period is not
adequate to identify superior alfalfa varieties for the Klamath Basin. Yield
and stand persistance data over a four to six year period is needed to accurately access the adaptation of an alfalfa variety to a region.
1/ Assistant Professor and Experimental Biology Technician, respectively,
Klamath Experiment Station.
Acknowledgements: Appreciation is expressed to the following companies
for financial support for this trial: Allied Seed, DeKalb Seed, North
American Plant Breeders, Northrup King Co., Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Plant Genetics, Union Seed Co., W-L Research.
89
A major factor determining alfalfa stand survival and yield in the
Klamath Basin is winter-hardiness. The ability of a variety to survive cold
winters is closely linked to how early in the fall growth ceases and the
plant goes dormant. Winter-hardy varieties generally go dormant earlier in
the fall than less winter-hardy varieties. The higher-yielding varieties in
this trial tended to be intermediate dormancy types with less-dormant types
yielding higher than more dormant varieties. The difference between winterdormant and less-dormant types was most pronounced in the third cutting when
early dormancy affected growth of winter-dormant varieties. The relative
ranking of these varieties will undoubtedly change as the stand ages and
stand thinning of less-adapted varieties occurs.
Table I. 1987-1988 Alfalfa Variety Trial. Summary of 1987 and 1988 yield
data and 1988 observations of dormancy as estimated by regrowth
after the last cutting of the season. The trial was established
at the Klamath Experiment Station in August, 1986.
ENTRY
1987
YIELD
1988
tons/A
AVG
VERNAL1
REGROWTH2
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
PB 5444
PB 526
PB 532
PB 5432
Brute Brand
6.5
6.3
5.9
6.4
6.0
6.8
6.7
6.6
6.7
6.1
6.6
6.5
6.3
6.6
6.0
110
108
105
110
100
1.3
1.0
1.0
1.8
2.4
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Max 85 Brand
Mission 123
Commandor
Pike
Drummor
6.0
6.3
6.5
6.3
6.4
6.7
6.0
6.7
6.3
6.8
6.4
6.1
6.6
6.3
6.6
107
102
110
105
110
1.0
2.0
1.3
2.0
1.1
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
NK 83580
NK 83632
Phytor
Spreador II
WL 225
6.5
6.0
6.4
6.0
6.4
6.5
6.5
6.4
6.1
6.7
6.5
6.2
6.4
6.0
6.6
108
103
107
100
110
1.8
1.1
1.0
0.6
1.0
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
WL 315
WL 316
WL 320
83-2
GT 58
6.6
6.1
6.7
6.0
6.4
6.8
6.2
6.8
6.4
6.2
6.7
6.2
6.8
6.2
6.3
112
103
113
103
105
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.4
2,6
21)
22)
23)
24)
25)
Apollo II
Arrow
Armor
Thunder
Peak
5.9
6.6
5.8
5.9
6.3
6.5
6.6
6.2
6.5
6.5
6.2
6.6
6.0
6.2
6.4
103
110
100
103
107
1.0
1.1
1.0
1.0
1.0
26)
27)
28)
29)
30)
Blazer
Epic
Sparta
RS 3309
Excalibur
6.0
6.1
6.4
6.2
6.4
6.4
6.6
6.9
6.5
6.8
6.2
6.3
6.7
6.4
6.6
103
105
112
107
110
1.0
1.4
1.1
1.1
1.2
31)
32)
33)
34)
35)
Centurion
Flint
York
Vortex
Sutter
6.7
5.8
6.0
6.3
5.6
6.5
6.2
6.4
6.8
5.9
6.6
6.0
6.2
6.5
5.7
110
100
103
108
95
1.9
1.0
1.1
1.3
3.0
36)
37)
38)
39)
40)
Vector
DK 120
DK 135
Vernal
003-G
6.7
6.4
6.0
6.0
5.9
6.7
6.6
6.5
6.0
6.5
6.7
6.5
6.2
6.0
6.2
112
108
103
100
103
1.4
1.3
1.6
1.0
1.1
41)
42)
43)
44)
45)
005-S
Sentry
Atra 55
Ranger
Nomad
5.9
6.0
6.0
6.5
5.4
6.2
6.3
6.5
6.7
6.1
6.1
6.1
6.3
6.6
5.7
102
102
105
110
95
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.3
0.8
46)
47)
48)
Rambler
Iroquois
Lahontan
6.2
6.3
6.0
6.5
6.9
6.2
6.3
6.6
6.1
103
110
102
0.9
1.0
1.6
MEAN
6.2
6.5
6.3
105.6
LSD(0.05)
0.6
0.5
0.4
CV
1/
2 /
7.0
5.9
---
--
1.3
21.4
0.4
Percent of Vernal based on an average of 1987 and 1988 data.
Estimate of fall regrowth following the third cutting to
evaluate dormancy. 0= no regrowth, 1 . 2 inches, 2= 4
inches, and 3 = 6 inches of regrowth.