Weed Invasion in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Seeded with Perennial Forage Grasses

Abstract

Component yields and forage quality were evaluated in established stands of alfalfa seeded alone and in binary mixtures with smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, or timothy. Forage yields and quality were determined at three annual harvests in the third and fourth years after seeding. Weed yields in alfalfa seeded alone were significantly greater than those in the alfalfa–orchardgrass mixture. Average weed content was 24, 17, 2, and 15% for the alfalfa seeded alone, alfalfa–bromegrass, alfalfa–orchardgrass, and alfalfa–timothy, respectively. Seeding alfalfa with orchardgrass increased first harvest and annual forage yields while reducing alfalfa yield. Yields of orchardgrass often exceeded those of bromegrass or timothy. In the first harvest each year, crude protein was reduced and acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber increased by including orchardgrass. Neutral detergent fiber was greater in alfalfa–orchardgrass than in the alfalfa seeded alone at most harvests. There were no consistent differences among the alfalfa seeded alone and the other mixtures in yield or quality.