PROJECT TITLE:
2001 Perennial grass species and variety forage yield evaluations.
PROJECT LEADER:
D.M. Wichman, Research Agronomist – CARC, Moccasin, MT
PROJECT PERSONNEL:
J. Vavrovsky, Research Specialist– CARC, Moccasin, MT
S.D. Cash, Extension Agronomist- MSU Bozeman, MT
R.L. Ditterline, Alfalfa Breeder – MSU, Bozeman, MT
M. Majerus, USDA-BPMC, Bridger, MT
OBJECTIVES:
To identify superior alfalfa varieties for dryland forage production in central Montana.
METHODS:
Entries are seeded in RCB arrangement in 4-5’ x20’plots with 1’ row spacing. Plots are typically
harvested with a self-propelled 4’wide harvester with scale.
RESULTS:
Yield results for alfalfa variety nurseries seeded in the years 2001, 2000, 1998, and 1997 are
presented in tables 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Drought conditions persisting since the spring of
1997 continue to depress alfalfa forage yields. Warm winter weather which allow perennials,
such as alfalfa, to remain actively growing through the late fall, winter and or early spring cause
the plants to deplete soil water reserves while producing little vegetation. Yield levels are one
third to one fourth of the expected yields. No significant variations in disease infections or insect
feedings have been observed. Little variation in plot/treatment ranking across years has been
observed. This indicates the importance of getting a good stand to start with.
SUMMARY:
Ladak 65 yields levels continue to similar to those of more modern varieties which have greater
disease resistance. However, recent years have been dry and unsuitable for outstanding yield
levels. In better yield conditions, this researcher expects modern varieties to exhibit a higher
yield level relative to Ladak 65.
FUTURE PLANS:
We will continue with the current alfalfa trials that are in place. A 2002 Montana intra-state
alfalfa variety trial will be established if there is sufficient interest from seed companies
Table F7
2000 Yield performance summary of 1997 orchardgrass evaluation trial.
Exp pgog97 Central Agricultural Research Center, Moccasin, Montana
8-Jun-01 28-Aug-01
Dry Matter Yield
Variety
Plant Ht
Plant Ht 8-Jun-01 28-Aug-01 01 Total 1997-01 Total
"
"
t/a
t/a
t/a
t/a
5.0
0.258
0.061
0.320
2.975
Napier
orchardgrass
28
6.0
Latar
orchardgrass
32
0.156
0.053
0.209
3.150
6.0
Paiute
orchardgrass
23
0.174
0.106
0.280
3.135
5.0
0.173
0.098
0.270
3.042
Dawn
orchardgrass
34
6.0
Potomac
orchardgrass
31
0.178
0.081
0.259
2.889
8.0
0.278
0.269
0.547
4.314
MB-1
meadowbrome
28
8.0
MB-2
meadowbrome
26
0.206
0.292
0.497
4.053
7.0
0.261
0.272
0.533
3.857
MB-3
meadowbrome
26
7.0
Regar
meadowbrome
27
0.283
0.269
0.551
3.843
15.0
0.205
0.421
0.626
3.988
Greenar
pubescent
26
OVERALL MEAN
28.05
7.3
0.217
0.192
0.4092
3.525
F-RATIO TRTS
1.796
3.435
29.42
16.65
CV (S/MEAN) %
17.96
24.14
24.41
18.55
LSD(0.05 by t
7.31
7.60E-02 6.80E-02
0.1101
Table F 8
Multi-year yield performance of orchardgrass, meadow brome and wheatgrass.
Exp pgog97 Central Agricultural Research Center, Moccasin, Montana.
Variety
Species
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
97-01 Total
t/a
t/a
t/a
t/a
t/a
t/a
Napier
orchardgrass
0.60
0.788
0.315
0.952
0.320
2.975
Latar
orchardgrass
0.98
0.749
0.317
0.895
0.209
3.150
Paiute
orchardgrass
0.82
0.767
0.317
0.951
0.280
3.135
Dawn
orchardgrass
0.72
0.696
0.357
0.999
0.270
3.042
Potomac
orchardgrass
0.66
0.746
0.310
0.914
0.259
2.889
MB-1
meadowbrome
0.82
1.537
0.620
0.790
0.547
4.314
MB-2
meadowbrome
0.62
1.531
0.577
0.828
0.497
4.053
MB-3
meadowbrome
0.44
1.347
0.610
0.927
0.533
3.857
Regar
meadowbrome
0.42
1.282
0.645
0.945
0.551
3.843
Greenar
pubescent
0.16
1.709
0.535
0.958
0.626
3.988
MEAN
0.62
1.115
0.460
0.916
0.409
3.525
F-RATIO df=27
6.27
11.800
1.341
16.65
CV (S/MEAN) %
30
19.000
11.94
18.55
LSD(0.05 by t)
0.28
0.1335
0.1249
0.1596
0.1101
Seeded:
27-Apr-97 7-Nov
8-Jul
25-Jun
21-Jun
8-Jun
8-Oct
28-Aug
Top Dress N:
45 N
45N