North Dakota State University * Dickinson Research Extension Center
1089 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601-4642 Voice: (701) 483-2348 FAX:
(701) 483-2005
1996 NORTH DAKOTA ALFALFA PERFORMANCE TESTS
D. Meyer, W. Norby, J. Berdahl, and M. Zarnstorff
NDSU Plant Sciences Department, Fargo, ND
The 1995-1996 winter was relatively cold with below-normal average temperatures from October 1995 to March 1996. November, January, and March were greater than 7.0 F below normal. Snow cover was in excess of 4 inches from December 12, to March 6. Loss of snow cover in mid March and a new snowstorm and cold temperatures in late March and early April caused some of the worst winter kill to alfalfa stands in the area in 25 years.
Forage yield data for alfalfa cultivars and experimental lines tested in North Dakota are presented in the next six tables. In sect pressure generally was not a significant yield factor; a little leafhopper damage was noted in the third harvest at Fargo, but was not considered worth treating. Anthracnose infection was not a problem in 1996 unlike the last two years. Rhizoctonia crown rot was detected in the third harvest but caused little damage.
Weed-free forage yields at Fargo were reduced by winter injury, which caused a significant increase in the coefficient of variation (CV) in these experiments. The 4-cut system in the 1993 seeding had very poor stands ranging from 22 to 58%. The
3-cut system was injured, but still had above-normal forage yields for a 3-year-old stand. The 4-cut system in the 1995 seeding was injured more than the 3-cut system, but mean forage yields were only slightly less. Stands in the 1996 seeding are excellent, but forage yields were low due to the below-normal precipitation in June and July.
Irrigated forage yields at Carrington were also reduced by winter injury/kill. One 3-cut replicate in the 1995 seeding was deleted due to spotty winter kill. Forage yields were slightly less form the 4 than 3-cut system, both were less than normal. Complete winter kill of the 1991 and 1993 seedings occurred with no differences between the 3 and 4-cut systems or cultivars in the 1993 seedings.
The 1996 North Dakota alfalfa hay crop was estimated at 2.34 million tons, 76% of 1995 production, but the North Dakota Agricultural Statistic Service. Yield per acre at 1.8 tons is equal to the previous 5-year average. Alfalfa acreage harvested was estimated at 1.3 million acres, 93% of 1995. Cultivars that yield equal or greater than Vernal are recommended for hay production in North Dakota.
North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; Fargo, ND; 1993 dryland | ||||||||||
Entry | 1996 harvest dates | 1996 Total | 94-96 Total |
Relative yield§ | Stand 11-1 ---%--- |
|||||
3-cut: | 6-19 | 7-16 | 8-19 | 10-2 | ||||||
4-cut: | 6-12 | 7-10 | 8-13 | 1996 | 93-96 | |||||
------------------Tons dry matter/acre--------------------- | --% of Vernal--- | |||||||||
3-cut system |
||||||||||
Clipper | 2.01 | 1.18 | 1.21 | 4.40 | 14.79 | 90 | 96 | 62 | ||
Legen Dairy | 2.10 | 1.20 | 1.29 | 4.59 | 15.12 | 93 | 98 | 60 | ||
MS-91 | 2.26 | 1.24 | 1.23 | 4.73 | 14.95 | 96 | 97 | 62 | ||
WL 323 | 1.78 | 1.21 | 1.16 | 4.15 | 14.95 | 85 | 97 | 58 | ||
WL 323 HQ | 1.98 | 1.36 | 1.13 | 4.47 | 14.66 | 91 | 95 | 65 | ||
Vernal | 2.30 | 1.34 | 1.26 | 4.90 | 15.30 | 100 | 99 | 65 | ||
Vernal | 2.35 | 1.32 | 1.24 | 4.91 | 15.64 | 100 | 101 | 65 | ||
5246 | 1.80 | 1.07 | 1.10 | 4.06 | 15.02 | 83 | 97 | 50 | ||
5262 | 2.12 | 1.15 | 1.14 | 4.41 | 15.58 | 90 | 101 | 62 | ||
5364 | 1.98 | 1.20 | 1.32 | 4.50 | 15.32 | 92 | 99 | 62 | ||
Mean | 2.07 | 1.23 | 1.22 | 4.51 | 15.13 | 92 | 98 | 61 | ||
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | 0.48 | 10 | 9 | ||||
CV(%) | 13.4 | 10.0 | 11.4 | 6.2 | 6.2 | 8.8 | ||||
4-cut system |
||||||||||
Clipper | 0.89 | 1.11 | 0.95 | 0.79 | 3.74 | 14.78 | 90 | 97 | 35 | |
Legen Dairy | 1.16 | 0.97 | 0.91 | 0.80 | 3.84 | 14.78 | 92 | 97 | 40 | |
MS-91 | 0.96 | 0.85 | 0.86 | 0.60 | 3.27 | 13.37 | 79 | 87 | 40 | |
WL 323 | 0.94 | 0.85 | 0.77 | 0.56 | 3.12 | 14.20 | 75 | 93 | 37 | |
WL 323 HQ | 1.35 | 0.87 | 0.77 | 0.56 | 3.55 | 14.65 | 85 | 96 | 45 | |
Vernal | 1.75 | 1.13 | 1.11 | 0.78 | 4.77 | 16.12 | 115 | 105 | 58 | |
Vernal | 1.20 | 0.89 | 0.88 | 0.58 | 3.55 | 14.50 | 85 | 95 | 45 | |
5246 | 0.52 | 0.72 | 0.76 | 0.60 | 2.60 | 14.36 | 63 | 94 | 22 | |
5262 | 1.23 | 1.19 | 1.17 | 0.76 | 4.35 | 16.11 | 105 | 105 | 48 | |
5364 | 1.42 | 1.02 | 1.02 | 0.74 | 4.20 | 16.01 | 101 | 105 | 45 | |
Mean | 1.13 | 0.94 | 0.90 | 0.67 | 3.63 | 14.89 | 87 | 97 | 41 | |
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | |||
CV (%) | 41.2 | 26.7 | 21.5 | 24.7 | 28.0 | 28.0 | 32.6 | |||
Design: Splitplot, cut = mainplot Plot
size: 5 by 18 feet Seeding method: Broadcast Replicates: Three Seeding rate: 15 lb PLS/acre Harvest plot: 34 in. By 13 ft. Seeding date: May 4, 1993 Cuttings: 1993 (0), 94-96 (3-4) Herbicide: Pursuit @ 2 oz/acre in 1993 Soil type: Fargo clay Fertilization: 50 lb P & 100 lb K/acre/year Insecticide: None Seed supplied by originator except Vernal §Vernal averaged 4.91 and 4.16 tons/acre in 1996 and 15.47 and 15.31 tons/acre in 1994-96 for the 3 and 4-cut systems, respectively. |
North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; Fargo, ND; 1995 dryland | |||||||||
Entry | 1996 harvest dates | Total | Relative yield§ | Stand 11-1 ---%--- |
|||||
3-cut: | 6-13 | 7-12 | 8-15 | 10-21 | |||||
4-cut: | 6-11 | 7-09 | 8-11 | 1995 | 1996 | ||||
---------------Tons dry matter/acre----------------- | --% of Vernal--- | ||||||||
3-cut system |
|||||||||
3452-ML | 1.64 | 1.09 | 1.12 | 3.85 | 98 | 90 | 73 | ||
5262 | 1.77 | 1.28 | 1.11 | 4.16 | 95 | 97 | 80 | ||
5454 | 1.83 | 1.25 | 1.15 | 4.23 | 96 | 99 | 80 | ||
ABT 205 | 1.54 | 1.19 | 1.21 | 3.94 | 99 | 92 | 70 | ||
ABT 405 | 1.55 | 1.06 | 1.16 | 3.77 | 101 | 88 | 72 | ||
Defiant | 2.07 | 1.37 | 1.19 | 4.63 | 94 | 108 | 82 | ||
DK 127 | 1.78 | 1.30 | 1.31 | 4.39 | 99 | 103 | 78 | ||
Haygrazer | 1.54 | 1.14 | 1.27 | 3.95 | 99 | 92 | 67 | ||
Proof | 1.61 | 1.22 | 1.23 | 4.06 | 102 | 95 | 72 | ||
Rushmore | 1.92 | 1.26 | 1.21 | 4.39 | 101 | 103 | 76 | ||
Sterling | 1.98 | 1.28 | 1.17 | 4.43 | 92 | 104 | 82 | ||
Vernal | 1.94 | 1.20 | 1.13 | 4.27 | 98 | 100 | 77 | ||
Vernal (Foun.) | 1.92 | 1.22 | 1.16 | 4.30 | 101 | 100 | 77 | ||
WL 252 HQ | 1.60 | 1.29 | 1.29 | 4.18 | 99 | 98 | 75 | ||
Mean | 1.76 | 1.22 | 1.20 | 4.18 | 98 | 98 | 76 | ||
LSD (0.05) | NS | 0.19 | 0.11 | NS | 5.5 | NS | NS | ||
CV (%) | 16.0 | 8.3 | 5.3 | 8.3 | 3.3 | 83 | 10.1 | ||
4-cut system |
|||||||||
3452-ML | 1.61 | 0.92 | 1.01 | 0.62 | 4.16 | 99 | 112 | 75 | |
5262 | 1.28 | 0.75 | 0.90 | 0.55 | 3.48 | 95 | 95 | 73 | |
5454 | 1.42 | 0.84 | 0.93 | 0.59 | 3.78 | 96 | 102 | 68 | |
ABT 205 | 1.65 | 0.81 | 0.88 | 0.53 | 3.87 | 102 | 104 | 78 | |
ABT 405 | 1.28 | 0.78 | 0.91 | 0.55 | 3.52 | 101 | 95 | 67 | |
Defiant | 1.67 | 0.85 | 0.95 | 0.63 | 4.10 | 96 | 111 | 73 | |
DK 127 | 1.64 | 0.94 | 0.89 | 0.60 | 4.07 | 103 | 110 | 75 | |
Haygrazer | 1.45 | 0.87 | 0.86 | 0.64 | 3.82 | 105 | 103 | 72 | |
Proof | 1.68 | 0.93 | 0.90 | 0.60 | 4.11 | 109 | 111 | 77 | |
Rushmore | 1.57 | 0.84 | 0.93 | 0.66 | 4.00 | 104 | 108 | 73 | |
Sterling | 1.45 | 0.84 | 0.89 | 0.61 | 3.79 | 104 | 102 | 73 | |
Vernal | 1.41 | 0.80 | 0.87 | 0.53 | 3.61 | 100 | 97 | 68 | |
Vernal (Foun.) | 1.57 | 0.80 | 0.87 | 0.56 | 3.80 | 100 | 102 | 75 | |
WL 252 HQ | 1.23 | 0.84 | 0.95 | 0.67 | 3.69 | 109 | 99 | 70 | |
Mean | 1.49 | 0.84 | 0.91 | 0.59 | 3.84 | 102 | 104 | 73 | |
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | 8.3 | NS | NS | |
CV (%) | 17.1 | 11.9 | 13.2 | 10.3 | 11.4 | 4.9 | 11.4 | 8.1 | |
Design: Splitplot, cust = mainplot Plot
size: 5 by 18 feet Seeding method: Broadcast Replicates: Three Seeding rate: 25 lb/acre Harvest plot: 34 in. By 13 ft. Seeding date: May 5, 1995 Cuttings: 1995 (2/3), 1996 (3/4) Herbicides:None Soil type: Fargo clay Fertilization: 50P & 100K lb/acre Insecticide: None Seed obtained from Dan Undersander, University of Wisconsin §Relative yield is expressed as percentage of Vernal and Vernal (Foun.) Mean, which averaged 4.28 and 3.71 tons/acre for the 3 and 4-cut systems respectively. |
North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; Carrington, ND; 1995 irrigated. | |||||||||
Entry | 3-cut: | 1996 harvest dates | Total | Relative yield§ | Stand 10-28 ---%--- |
||||
6-21 | 7-23 | 8-23 | 10-28 | ||||||
4-cut: | |||||||||
6-17 | 7-16 | 8-20 | 1995 | 1996 | |||||
Tons dry matter/acre | --% of Vernal--- | ||||||||
3-cut system |
|||||||||
2555-ML | 2.33 | 1.43 | 1.18 | 4.94 | 103 | 102 | 80 | ||
5262 | 2.34 | 1.25 | 1.18 | 4.77 | 110 | 99 | 82 | ||
5454 | 2.20 | 1.48 | 1.20 | 4.88 | 106 | 101 | 80 | ||
ABT 205 | 2.33 | 1.54 | 1.21 | 5.08 | 96 | 105 | 85 | ||
ABT 405 | 2.46 | 1.39 | 1.20 | 5.05 | 103 | 104 | 80 | ||
DK 127 | 2.47 | 1.29 | 1.30 | 5.06 | 96 | 105 | 82 | ||
Paramount | 2.11 | 1.55 | 1.15 | 4.81 | 104 | 99 | 85 | ||
Proof | 2.12 | 1.62 | 1.24 | 4.98 | 105 | 103 | 82 | ||
Vernal | 2.08 | 1.34 | 1.19 | 4.61 | 99 | 95 | 80 | ||
Vernal (Foun.) | 2.51 | 1.45 | 1.11 | 5.07 | 101 | 105 | 80 | ||
Viking I | 2.42 | 1.43 | 1.32 | 5.17 | 100 | 107 | 82 | ||
WL 252 HQ | 2.01 | 1.77 | 1.24 | 5.02 | 99 | 104 | 80 | ||
WL 323 | 2.25 | 1.17 | 1.16 | 4.58 | 100 | 95 | 82 | ||
Mean | 2.28 | 1.44 | 1.20 | 4.92 | 102 | 102 | 82 | ||
LSD (0.05) | NS | 0.23 | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | ||
CV (%) | 9.5 | 7.5 | 8.3 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 2.2 | ||
4-cut system |
|||||||||
2555-ML | 1.81 | 1.24 | 1.20 | 0.37 | 4.62 | 111 | 95 | 85 | |
5262 | 1.87 | 1.38 | 1.33 | 0.40 | 4.98 | 107 | 103 | 87 | |
5454 | 1.83 | 1.25 | 1.21 | 0.39 | 4.68 | 105 | 96 | 87 | |
ABT 205 | 1.84 | 1.29 | 1.10 | 0.45 | 4.68 | 102 | 96 | 80 | |
ABT 405 | 1.73 | 1.48 | 1.23 | 0.40 | 4.84 | 109 | 100 | 85 | |
DK 127 | 1.79 | 1.15 | 1.22 | 0.40 | 4.56 | 103 | 94 | 85 | |
Paramount | 1.61 | 1.23 | 1.15 | 0.34 | 4.33 | 110 | 89 | 82 | |
Proof | 2.10 | 1.22 | 1.15 | 0.32 | 4.79 | 107 | 99 | 85 | |
Vernal | 1.83 | 1.31 | 1.03 | 0.39 | 4.56 | 97 | 94 | 85 | |
Vernal (Foun.) | 2.09 | 1.48 | 1.16 | 0.42 | 5.15 | 103 | 106 | 82 | |
Viking I | 1.77 | 1.40 | 1.01 | 0.50 | 4.68 | 105 | 96 | 80 | |
WL 252 HQ | 1.80 | 1.16 | 1.04 | 0.44 | 4.44 | 109 | 92 | 80 | |
WL 323 | 1.76 | 1.23 | 0.94 | 0.44 | 4.37 | 105 | 90 | 85 | |
Mean | 1.83 | 1.29 | 1.14 | 0.41 | 4.67 | 106 | 96 | 84 | |
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | NS | |
CV (%) | 11.1 | 11.4 | 11.0 | 16.5 | 6.9 | 4.8 | 6.9 | 4.1 | |
Design: Splitplot, cut
= mainplot Plot size: 5 by 18 feet |
North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station; Fargo, ND; 1996 dryland | |||||
Entry | 1996 | Relative Yield§ | Stand 11-1 ---%--- |
||
7-29 | 10-22 | Total | |||
Tons dry matter/acre | --% of Vernal-- | ||||
1-cut system |
|||||
Avalanche + Z | 1.17 | 1.17 | 93 | 89 | |
Big Horn | 1.14 | 1.14 | 90 | 87 | |
Depend + EV | 1.19 | 1.19 | 94 | 91 | |
DK 127 | 1.11 | 1.11 | 88 | 89 | |
Imperial | 1.23 | 1.23 | 98 | 91 | |
Rainier | 1.14 | 1.14 | 90 | 91 | |
Vernal | 1.18 | 1.18 | 94 | 86 | |
Vernal | 1.35 | 1.35 | 107 | 89 | |
WL 324 | 1.29 | 1.29 | 102 | 89 | |
WL 325 HQ | 1.18 | 1.18 | 94 | 91 | |
5312 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 86 | 89 | |
5454 | 1.20 | 1.20 | 95 | 92 | |
Mean | 1.19 | 1.19 | 94 | 89 | |
LSD (O.05) | 0.14 | 0.14 | 11 | NS | |
CV (%) | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 3.6 | |
2-cut system |
|||||
Avalanche + Z | 1.14 | 0.59 | 1.73 | 101 | 90 |
Big Horn | 1.19 | 0.64 | 1.83 | 107 | 91 |
Depend + EV | 1.19 | 0.65 | 1.84 | 108 | 92 |
DK 127 | 1.17 | 0.64 | 1.81 | 106 | 94 |
Imperial | 1.14 | 0.70 | 1.84 | 108 | 90 |
Innovator + Z | 1.14 | 0.63 | 1.77 | 104 | 87 |
Rainier | 1.06 | 0.63 | 1.69 | 99 | 94 |
Vernal | 1.13 | 0.55 | 1.68 | 98 | 89 |
Vernal | 1.14 | 0.60 | 1.74 | 102 | 89 |
WL 324 | 1.16 | 0.67 | 1.83 | 107 | 92 |
WL 325 HQ | 1.10 | 0.65 | 1.75 | 102 | 91 |
5312 | 1.17 | 0.61 | 1.78 | 104 | 94 |
5454 | 1.11 | 0.61 | 1.72 | 101 | 90 |
Mean | 1.14 | 0.63 | 1.77 | 104 | 91 |
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | NS | 4 |
CV (%) | 12.1 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 8.6 | 3.1 |
Design: Splitplot, cust
= mainplot Plot size: 3 by 18 feet Seeding method: Broadcast Replicates: Four |
Alfalfa Varietal Trial and Mandan, ND from 1994 to 1996 | |||||
Entry | 7-8-96 | 7-27-95 | 7-6-94 | 3-year Total | Relative Yield |
Tons Dry Matter/Acre | % | ||||
Released Cultivars | |||||
Pioneer 5151 | 3.09 | 2.20 | 2.32 | 7.61 | 110 |
Roamer | 3.04 | 1.99 | 2.53 | 7.56 | 109 |
Ladak 65 | 2.87 | 2.22 | 2.30 | 7.39 | 107 |
Drylander | 2.90 | 1.97 | 2.42 | 7.29 | 105 |
Vernal | 2.67 | 2.02 | 2.29 | 6.98 | 101 |
Travois | 2.74 | 1.65 | 2.52 | 6.91 | 100 |
Rangelander | 2.46 | 2.17 | 2.23 | 6.86 | 99 |
Heinrichs | 2.44 | 1.86 | 2.32 | 6.62 | 96 |
Rambler | 2.53 | 1.81 | 2.12 | 6.46 | 93 |
Spredor 3 | 2.37 | 1.79 | 2.14 | 6.30 | 91 |
Anik | 2.17 | 1.28 | 2.37 | 5.82 | 84 |
Experimental Strains | |||||
Mandan 1801 | 2.99 | 1.82 | 2.49 | 7.30 | 105 |
Mean | 2.69 | 1.90 | 2.34 | 6.93 | 100 |
5% LSD | 0.40 | 0.29 | NS | 0.68 | --- |
CV (%) | 10.4 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 11.9 | --- |
MCV (%) | 14.8 | 15.2 | --- | 9.8 | --- |
Location: Mandan, North Dakota Plot
size: 9' by 20' (60 ft2 harvested) |
North Central Research and Extension Center; Minot, ND; 1995 dryland | ||||||
Entry | 1996 | 1995 | Relative Yield | |||
6-14 | 7-24 | Total | 1996 | 1995 | ||
Tons Dry Matter/Acre | % of Vernal | |||||
DK 127 | 1.25 | 1.22 | 2.46 | 2.04 | 85 | 117 |
LegenDairy | 1.33 | 1.37 | 2.70 | 1.88 | 94 | 108 |
Proof | 1.43 | 1.53 | 2.96 | 1.72 | 103 | 99 |
Spredor 3 | 1.55 | 1.34 | 2.89 | 1.67 | 100 | 96 |
Sterling | 1.46 | 1.45 | 2.90 | 2.02 | 101 | 116 |
Vernal | 1.51 | 1.37 | 2.88 | 1.74 | 100 | 100 |
WL 252 HQ | 1.23 | 1.22 | 2.44 | 1.93 | 85 | 111 |
2555-ML | 1.38 | 1.42 | 2.79 | 1.97 | 97 | 113 |
5262 | 1.20 | 1.25 | 2.45 | 2.03 | 85 | 117 |
5454 | 1.32 | 1.48 | 2.80 | 2.04 | 97 | 117 |
Mean | 1.36 | 1.36 | 2.73 | 1.90 | 95 | 109 |
LSD (0.05) | NS | NS | NS | 0.27 | NS | 16 |
CV (%) | 14.2 | 14.7 | 12.1 | 9.8 | 12.1 | 9.8 |
Design: Randomized
complete block Plot size: 4' by 24' |