Alfalfa Variety Performance at Tucson, 2009-2010
M. J. Ottman and S. E. Smith
Introduction
New alfalfa varieties are constantly being introduced into the marketplace. The
number of varieties available for low-elevation desert areas in Arizona in the
non-dormant class is over50. New varieties are introduced each year and
unbiased yield comparisons are helpful to the grower to base the decision of
whether or not to sow a new variety. The study reported here is part of the ongoing effort to evaluate alfalfa variety performance in Arizona. A summary of
alfalfa variety trials conducted by the University of Arizona can be found online
at http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/crops/az1267.pdf.
Procedure
Alfalfa varieties and experimentals (potential varieties being evaluated for future release) were compared in a field
study at the Campus Agricultural Center in Tucson, Arizona. The experimental design was a randomized complete
block with four replications and 12 entries. Seed was sown on 2 October, 2008 into five rows spaced 6 inches apart
with a single row hand planter at a rate of 20 pounds of seed per acre. The plots were 3 ft. wide by 12 ft. long.
Irrigation water was applied the same day as planting to germinate the seed. Irrigations of about 4 to 6 inches each
were applied using the border flood method at an interval of twice per cutting. The plots were cut with a sickle-bar
mower, the forage was raked, placed on a tarp, and weighed. The cutting interval at the peak of the season was 4
weeks. The plots were subjected to insect pressure from Egyptian alfalfa weevil, various aphids, alfalfa caterpillar,
and beet armyworm, but damage from these pests was not severe enough to warrant chemical control. No
herbicides or fertilizers were applied. Plant stand was estimated by counting crowns from two 4 ft2 areas in each
plot on 19 Dec 2010. The data was analyzed using nearest neighbor analysis and least-squares means are reported.
Least-squares means were calculated for the annual totals and are not identical to the sum of the least-squares means
of the individual harvests. Hay yield was calculated by assuming 80% moisture in the forage, and calculating hay
yield on a 12% moisture basis for the plot area.
Discussion
Hay yields for the varieties tested are presented in Table 1. No general conclusions will be made from this study,
which is part of an ongoing effort to evaluate alfalfa variety performance in Arizona. This information is intended
to help growers decide whether or not to plant a new variety on a limited acreage on commercial farms. A new
variety should be planted on a larger acreage only after the variety has been evaluated on a smaller acreage under
farm-specific conditions.
Acknowledgments
This research trial was supported by Cal/West Seeds, Dairyland Seed Co., Inc., Forage Genetics, S. & W. Seeds.
2012 Forage & Grain Report, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona
4
Table 1. Hay yield adjusted to 12% moisture for alfalfa varieties and experimentals at Tucson, AZ in 2009.
Entry
Hay Yield
2009
4/10
5/5
6/16
7/14
8/11
9/10
10/8
12/15
Total
------------------------------------------ tons/acre ------------------------------------------
A-1086
AL 999
CUF 101
CW 1010
DS067092
DS077601
DS593
Fertilac 10
FG 105+285
FG 105+286
FG 106+701
FG 115+288
FG 92+206
Lew
Magna 995
Mecca III
SW 9628
SW 9803
SW 9812
SW 9813
SW 9816
TS 0002
WL 625 HQ
1.29
1.18
1.26
1.27
1.21
1.33
1.17
1.35
1.31
1.34
1.19
1.24
1.26
1.40
1.12
1.37
1.26
1.27
1.25
1.25
1.33
1.36
1.16
1.17
1.07
1.12
1.18
1.15
1.18
1.19
1.17
1.08
1.15
1.04
1.08
1.13
1.10
1.09
1.16
1.18
1.18
1.11
1.09
1.20
1.16
1.06
1.58
1.50
1.52
1.65
1.61
1.67
1.68
1.65
1.57
1.64
1.62
1.60
1.66
1.49
1.58
1.71
1.68
1.64
1.64
1.60
1.64
1.57
1.62
2.72
2.63
2.53
2.67
2.63
2.68
2.52
2.76
2.65
2.74
2.70
2.65
2.64
2.60
2.79
2.59
2.68
2.52
2.69
2.60
2.70
2.65
2.82
2.06
1.97
1.96
2.03
1.98
2.03
1.95
2.06
2.07
2.09
2.09
2.07
2.03
1.99
2.11
2.01
2.14
2.03
2.05
2.09
2.06
2.01
2.05
2.16
2.19
2.10
2.38
2.39
2.40
2.27
2.27
2.26
2.31
2.36
2.28
2.18
2.29
2.26
2.35
2.32
2.35
2.32
2.29
2.28
2.27
2.31
1.89
1.93
1.89
1.98
1.91
2.02
1.89
2.00
2.00
1.95
2.10
2.02
1.92
1.99
1.94
1.99
2.03
2.08
2.03
1.95
2.03
1.91
1.87
2.03
2.04
1.97
2.08
1.95
2.00
2.04
2.19
2.13
2.21
1.97
2.13
2.05
2.14
1.91
1.99
2.09
2.17
2.07
2.14
2.18
2.21
2.00
14.9
14.4
14.3
15.1
14.7
15.1
14.8
15.3
14.9
15.4
14.9
15.1
14.9
15.0
14.6
15.1
15.2
15.0
15.1
14.9
15.2
15.1
14.8
CV (%)
LSD (5%)
8.48
0.147
9.37
0.106
7.00
0.116
4.33
0.162
5.19
0.145
4.44
0.148
3.68
0.103
7.02
0.200
2.62
0.54
2012 Forage & Grain Report, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona
5
Table 1 (Con’d). Hay yield adjusted to 12% moisture for alfalfa varieties and experimentals at Tucson, AZ in 20108,
total yield for 2009 and 2010, and final stand on 16 Dec 2010.
Entry
Hay Yield
2010
2009-10
3/25
5/13
7/15
8/12
9/9
10/28
12/16
Total
Total
------------------------------------------ tons/acre ------------------------------------------
Stand
2010
12/19
plants/ft2
A-1086
AL 999
CUF 101
CW 1010
DS067092
DS077601
DS593
Fertilac 10
FG 105+285
FG 105+286
FG 106+701
FG 115+288
FG 92+206
Lew
Magna 995
Mecca III
SW 9628
SW 9803
SW 9812
SW 9813
SW 9816
TS 0002
WL 625 HQ
2.71
2.60
2.48
2.65
2.61
2.68
2.56
2.76
2.64
2.74
2.65
2.65
2.64
2.61
2.77
2.57
2.69
2.50
2.69
2.61
2.69
2.66
2.80
2.71
2.64
2.70
2.67
2.73
2.85
2.96
3.00
2.80
2.94
2.73
2.80
2.69
2.81
2.62
2.88
2.87
2.72
2.77
2.90
2.77
2.99
2.82
2.06
2.21
2.26
2.09
2.15
2.15
2.15
2.14
2.32
2.33
2.47
2.38
2.39
2.10
2.15
2.19
2.19
2.11
2.24
2.12
2.18
2.14
2.22
1.94
2.02
2.00
1.91
1.91
2.01
1.95
1.89
2.16
2.06
2.01
2.04
2.11
1.97
1.98
1.91
2.02
1.89
2.02
1.92
2.00
1.89
2.04
1.79
1.85
1.84
1.87
1.76
1.81
1.70
1.77
1.90
1.93
1.89
1.89
1.88
1.84
1.83
1.76
1.85
1.77
1.83
1.80
1.82
1.71
1.85
1.81
1.83
1.77
1.92
1.71
1.89
1.73
1.89
1.79
1.82
1.82
1.77
1.89
1.88
1.84
1.79
1.80
1.83
1.80
1.94
1.94
1.85
1.84
1.36
1.35
1.36
1.35
1.24
1.30
1.30
1.37
1.45
1.46
1.43
1.45
1.40
1.37
1.32
1.37
1.39
1.38
1.32
1.40
1.40
1.38
1.39
14.5
14.6
14.1
14.7
14.2
14.4
14.5
14.9
14.7
15.2
15.1
15.1
15.2
14.4
14.7
14.5
15.0
14.1
14.7
14.6
14.9
14.4
15.0
29.3
28.9
28.4
29.7
28.9
29.6
29.3
30.2
29.6
30.6
30.0
30.3
30.1
29.4
29.2
29.5
30.2
29.0
29.8
29.4
30.1
29.6
29.8
3.63
4.00
4.19
4.19
4.34
4.13
4.00
4.41
4.22
4.28
4.34
3.63
4.59
4.34
4.47
4.00
3.97
4.19
3.97
3.63
4.03
3.91
4.28
CV (%)
LSD (5%)
4.53
0.167
7.38
0.290
6.17
0.191
5.61
0.157
4.78
0.122
5.49
0.141
5.04
0.097
3.52
0.73
2.70
1.11
10.66
0.62
2012 Forage & Grain Report, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona
6