Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)–Cheat (Bromus secalinus) Competition

Abstract

A study was conducted at two locations to evaluate the effects of cheat (Bromus secalinusL. ♯3BROSE) competition on four seeding rates (4.5, 9.0, 13.5, and 22 kg/ha) of alfalfa (Medicago sativaL. ‘Riley’). Three stages of first harvest (early bud, early bloom, and late bloom) were imposed on fall-planted alfalfa, with and without cheat overseeding, to determine the effects of harvest stage on alfalfa yield and quality. Cheat infestations significantly decreased alfalfa production and forage quality. Increasing the seeding rate of alfalfa only partially offset these losses. Harvesting early helped minimize the effect of cheat competition. First-harvest protein yield of forage was significantly decreased by, cheat overseeding. Total protein yield at first harvest was not affected by cutting stage but did increase with the two higher seeding rates of alfalfa.