Effects of seeding rate and row spacing on nutritional value of alfalfa in the arid oasis region of Gansu Province

doi:10.11686/cyxb2018426

Abstract

Abstract: Seeding rate and row spacing are important cultivation details for alfalfa (Medicago sativa) need to be optimized to achieve high crop yield and forage quality. Therefore, an experiment to investigate the effect of seeding rate and row spacing on alfalfa performance was carried out in the arid oasis region of Gansu Province from 2014 to 2017. The experiment comprised four seeding rates (12.0, 16.0, 20.0 and 24.0 kg·ha^-1) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates, and three equal row spacings (10, 15, 20 cm) and two wide-narrow row spacings (60 cm+40 cm, and 60 cm+30 cm) randomly arranged as split plot treatments within the main plots. In wide-narrow row spacings, groups of 6 rows with a narrow spacing of 10 cm were separated by a wider spacing of 30 cm or 40 cm. It was found that seeding rate and row spacing did not have any significant effect on leaf∶stem ratio, but significantly affected nutritional parameters of alfalfa forage. Across the range of seeding rates and row spacings, herbage ether extract, calcium, and phosphorus contents were highest at intermediate plant densities. Crude protein content was highest (20.06%) at the 16.0 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate and 20 cm row spacing combination, while the highest ether extract content (3.42%) was obtained at the 16.0 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate with 15 cm row spacing. Calcium content was maximized (1.65%) at the 20 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate and 20 cm row spacing, and phosphorus (P) content was maximized (0.19%) at the 3 lower seeding rates (12.0, 16.0 and 20.0 kg·ha^-1) and row spacing of 20 cm. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents decreased with increasing seeding rates, while the NDF and ADF contents increased with increasing row spacings, and the lowest average NDF content (31.74%) was obtained at the 24.0 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate and 10 cm row spacing. The lowest ADF content (25.64%) was obtained at the 24.0 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate and 15 cm row spacing. The relative feed value (RFV) increased with increasing seeding rates and was highest at medium row spacings. Lastly, relative feed value was maximized (208.64%) at the 16.0 kg·ha^-1 seeding rate and 20 cm row spacing. The nutritional values of alfalfa herbage different between growing years at the same seeding rate and row spacing. It was indicated from comprehensive evaluation of the main nutrients, that the optimal planting configuration for improving alfalfa nutritional value in this climate was a seeding rate of 20.0 kg·ha^-1 and row spacing of 20 cm.

Key words: alfalfa, arid oasis region, leaf:stem ratio, grey relational analysis

NAN Li-li, SHI Shang-li, GUO Quan-en, BAI Xiao-ming. Effects of seeding rate and row spacing on nutritional value of alfalfa in the arid oasis region of Gansu Province[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2019, 28(1): 108-119.

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