Life Sciences Commons^™

The Effect Of Rain Leaching On Field Dried Alfalfa Hay Yield And Lamb Production From The Hay, John M. Kaykay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A 2 x 3 x 2 factorial arranged split plot experiment was used to determine the decrease of dry matter yield from field-dried alfalfa hay caused by the application of a measured quantity of artificial rain (sprinkling irrigation). The three hay treatment factors were (1) alfalfa hay was cut at late vegetative and early bloom stage of maturity and (2) leached by 0, 5 mm or 20 mm of artificial rain applied by sprinkling and (3) sprinkled in the swath, 24 or 48 hours after cutting.

Changes in dry matter yield were not significantly (P < .05) related to stage of maturity of forage, level of artificial rain applied or the time of application of artificial rain. There were no significant interactions for dry matter yield. The non-significant results were probably due to the variability of the alfalfa stand among the specific areas harvested for each treatment and insufficient replications to control the variability.

Forty-eight lambs were fed for …

The Interactive Effects Of Water Salinity And Management On Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation In Alfalfa, Thomas J. Keck

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A greenhouse study was conducted to assess the interactive effects of three irrigation water salinity levels (1.0, 3.0, and 9.0 mmho/cm) and three quantities of water app lied per irrigation (120, 240, 360 ml) on plant growth and nitrogen fixation by alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Resistador). Harvest dates corresponded to 10, 30, and 50 days after the initiation of salt and water treatments which were started after nodulation had been established in young plants.

Alfalfa top growth was limited by both salt and water stresses. Irrigation water salinity had a greater effect on top growth than root growth …