Abstract:
| Alfalfa is a perennial forage legume. Once successfully establish, it may give good regular forages yield for 7 to 10 years. Nonetheless, biomass production in the establishment phase is complexed due to poor seedling growth. We compared two alfalfa varieties (i.e. Sardi-7 and NRC-15) with different phosphorus (i.e. 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1) and potassium (i.e. 25, 50 and 75 kg ha-1) rates. Field experiment was conducted at Agronomy Research Farm, University of Agriculture Peshawar in November 2015-16. Data were recorded periodically on fresh matter in the first establishment year 2016 of maximum 10 cuts, hereafter referred as samplings in a year. Leaf to stem ratio were also monitored during the crop growth. While averaged on nutrients (P and K) application rates, the overall herbage production revealed almost same trend as fresh matter at initial six samplings (starting from March to August), which were also expressed in corresponding Thermal Units (TU OC). From sampling 7, the NRC-15 variety remains fall dormant in the Peshawar's climate. Potassium response on the alfalfa biomass production was expressed at 4th sampling (i.e. May to Sep.) with highest (p<0.05) for K 75 kg ha-1 as compare to other two lower rates. Likewise, phosphorus effect expressed from March to December samplings with highest for P 120 kg ha-1, followed by P 80 kg ha-1 and subsequently the lowest for P 40 kg ha-1. Alfalfa production showed increase in the subsequent samplings excited from March to July and then decreased till December in the establishment year. Sprouts density is important for the initial stand establishment per unit ground area in early phase of the crop growth. Data revealed the highest density in ifrst three samplings when P was given 80 and 120 kg ha -1. Maximum sprout density was observed in K 75 kg ha-1. Leaf to stem ratio did not show any promising response with the changing P or K levels. Results revealed that both varieties difered in biomass production over months of the season. However, the response of biomass production was encouraging with both highest rates of P and K to the crop overall seasonal biomass production.
Page(s):
860-869
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, Volume: 34, Issue: 4, Year: 2018
Keywords:
Growth
,
Krates
,
Prates
,
Alfalfa DM
,
Periodic DM
,
Alfalfa varieties