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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2022, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (5): 61-75.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2021109

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The effect of mixed sowing and sowing rate of different alfalfa varieties on the yield and quality of forage

Man-you LI1(), Dong-ning LI2, Bin WANG1, Xiao-yun LI1, Xiao-tian SHEN1, Li-juan CAO1, Wang NI1, Teng-fei WANG1, Jian LAN1,3()   

  1. 1.College of Agriculture,Ningxia University,Yinchuan 750021,China
    2.Ningxia Nongken Maosheng Grass Industry Co. ,Ltd. ,Yinchuan 750021,China
    3.Ningxia Grassland and Animal Husbandry Engineering Technology Research Center,Yinchuan 750021,China
  • Received:2021-03-23 Revised:2021-04-26 Online:2022-05-20 Published:2022-03-30
  • Contact: Jian LAN

Abstract:

This research investigated the effect of planting pattern and sowing rate on the yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) from 2017-2019 under drip irrigation conditions in arid areas. Alfalfa varieties ‘Magna Graze Ⅶ’ (also known as ‘Magnum Ⅶ’) and ‘Sanditi’ were sown as pure stands, mixed within rows or mixed in alternate rows and there were three sowing rates (13.5, 18.0, 22.5 kg·ha-1) making up a two-factor randomized complete block design. Data were subjected to multivariate evaluation by principal component analysis (PCA), in order to identify the optimum planting pattern and sowing rate for alfalfa. It was found that the planting pattern and sowing rate had significant (P<0.05) effects on the average plant height, number of primary branches, hay yield, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber content and relative feeding value of alfalfa over the 2017 to 2019 investigation period. There were no significant effects on herbage dry matter percentage, leaf∶stem ratio, acid detergent fiber content and crude protein content. Among the treatments, Magnum Ⅶ and Sanditi mixed within rows and sown at 18.0 kg·ha-1 had an alfalfa hay yield (16.79 t·ha-1) significantly higher than other treatments. The lowest hay yield (14.25 t·ha-1) was obtained with Magnum Ⅶ and Sanditi were sown in alternate rows at 22.5 kg·ha-1. The relative feeding value of alfalfa when Magnum Ⅶ and Sanditi were mixed within rows at a sowing rate of 18.0 kg·ha-1 was 156.87, and was second only to mixed sowing of the two varieties within rows at a rate of 13.5 kg·ha-1. Analysis by PCA indicated the planting of Magnum Ⅶ and Sanditi mixed within rows at a sowing rate of 18.0 kg·ha-1 as having the best overall performance. This planting pattern and rate can be recommended for adoption by growers in the Ningxia Yellow River irrigation district.

Key words: Medicago sativa, mixed mode, sowing rate, herbage quality, yield