Abstract:
In field experiment, conducted during 1983-85 cropping seasons, there were significant differences in fresh weight (FW) and dry matter (DM) yields between five alfalfa cultivars, "CUF-101" (USA), "Paravivo" (Australia), "Lebanon Local" (Lebanon) and "Aleppo Local" (Syria), grown in spring (March 17, 1983) under supplementary irrigation. Seeds of each cultivar were sown @ 12, 16 and 20 kg/ha using randomized complete block design split plot arrangement with three replications. Winter active ("CUF-101", "Moapa-69" and" Aleppo Local") were superior to semidormant ("Paravivo") and dormant (Lebanon Local") cultivars for FW, DM and other yield components. The average two-year FW yields and DM for above cultivars were 155, 150, 145, 133 and 99 t/ha, and 35.4, 34.2, 32.3, 30.2 and 22.3 t/ha, respectively, irrespective of seeding rates. Seeding rate was related to plant density in stand, but not to FW or DM yields. The higher initial stands were produced with 16 and 20 kg/ha of seeds, but this was accompanied by a higher plant mortality, especially in the first season, than did 12 kg/ha. It was recommended that winter active cultivars @ 12 kg/ha could survive well for short term alfalfa stands.
Page(s):
95-101
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Research, Volume: 10, Issue: 1, Year: 1989