Improving Forage Production and Longevity of Alfalfa Stands with Balanced Fertilization
To determine the influence of balanced fertilization on forage production, longevity of alfalfa stands, weed population and disease severity.
IPNI-2000-CAN-SK26
18 Feb 2003
2002 Annual Interpretive Summary
Improving Forage Production and Longevity of Alfalfa Stands with Balanced Fertilization, 2002
Alfalfa is a large consumer of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). In northeastern Saskatchewan, it is grown on approximately 200,000 acres for the dehydrated pellet market. Alfalfa for seed is grown on over 120,000 acres in western Canada. In the absence of nutrient inputs, alfalfa cannot maintain its original productivity after about three years of production. Improved soil fertility can help it out-compete weeds and increase the longevity of stands by several years.
This research project was plagued with drought again in 2002, resulting in reduced hay yields, and a seed crop failure. As a result, forage yields were low, with high variability among treatments minimizing any potential significant responses. While not significant (probably less than 0.10), alfalfa yield trended higher with P and K (29%; 0.65 t/A), and with a blend of P, K, and sulfur (32%; 0.73 t/A). The project is scheduled to continue for an additional two years, during which time forage and seed yields will continue to be assessed relative to annual fertilizer applications. SK-26F