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Effect of Harvest Management and Temperature on Forage Yield, Root Carbohydrates, Plant Density and Leaf Area Relationships in Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L. cultivar ' Moapa ') 1
Author(s) -
Robison Gayland D.,
Massengale M. A.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1968.0011183x000800020002x
Subject(s) - biology , forage , medicago sativa , agronomy , cultivar , bloom , sowing , population , horticulture , ecology , demography , sociology
Stage of growth at harvest had a greater influence on forage production and plant density of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) than stubble height remaining after harvest when plants were grown under field conditions at Tucson, Arizona. Decline in forage yield and plant population was greatest during the period when night temperatures were highest. The percentages of A‐HC (acid‐hydrolyzable carbohydrates) in roots of alfalfa plants harvested at the 50% bud stage of growth declined to a lower level and remained less than when harvested at the 25% bloom stage. Generally, LAI (leaf area index) for plants harvested at the 25% bloom stage was higher than when harvested at the 50% bud stage. Plant density declined greatest during the second year and when plants were harvested at the 50% bud stage of growth.