EFFECT OF DATE AND FREQUENCY OF DEFOLIATION ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF ALFALFA

Abstract

In two experiments established in 1950 and 1953, Rhizoma and Grimm alfalfa, each in a simple mixture with timothy, were subjected to seven cutting schedules in the first 2 harvest years. In the third year all plots were cut on tune 15 to determine the effect of the differential defoliation in the preceding years. The two varieties were not significantly different in five of the six seasons but after a winter of severe icing in 1953 Rhizoma outyielded Grimm. The yields of the alfalfa component in the third year tended to decrease with an increase in the number of harvests in the previous years. Protein yield per acre increased with an increase in the number of clippings. The results indicated that highest yields of alfalfa will be maintained by avoiding defoliating between August 15 and October 15.