Effect of a fall cut on dry matter yield, nutritive value, and stand persistence of alfalfa

Information is lacking about the effect of date of a fall cut of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on dry matter yield (DMY), forage nutritive value, and stands persistence. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of timing of a fall cut on DMY, forage nutritive value and stand persistence of three alfalfa varieties: low-lignin Hi–Gest 360, Roundup Ready Tonica, and conventional Gunner in Northeastern Kansas in the United States. The field study was carried out by splitting plot in randomized complete block design with four replications. The harvesting data of different maturity stages were collected in each year from 2015 to 2018. Three cuts were harvested based on the stage of maturity, and the last (fourth) cut was done on September 15, September 30, October 15, and October 30 of each year. The persistence of the alfalfa stands was determined each fall after the last cut, and each spring after the first cut, by counting the number of live plants in a randomly placed quadrat in each plot. Alfalfa cut on September 15 and September 30 had a higher stand persistence compared to alfalfa cut on October 15 and October 30. The DMY of the first cut in 2016 was significantly higher in roundup ready than the low-lignin alfalfa variety. In the second cut, DMY was significantly higher in conventional alfalfa than the roundup ready. There were no significant differences in DMY between alfalfa varieties in the rest of seasonal cuttings in 2016 and 2017 and annual total yield in both years. In general, low lignin alfalfa variety had higher crude protein and relative feed value and lower acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents than those in roundup ready and conventional alfalfa varieties. On average, nutritive value of alfalfa was generally affected by last cutting dates in 2017. Based on 3-year data the last cutting of alfalfa in the fall could be done by September 30–October 15 without harmful effect on DMY.