Effects of Different Bio-fertilizer Treatments on the Growth and Quality of Alfalfa

Abstract

Background: Alfalfa has small seeds and is intolerant to deep-sowing. We investigated seed emergence of alfalfa variety “Longmu 801” from deep-sowing and its quality improvement through different bio-fertilizer treatments. Methods: Seven fertilization treatments were tested: CK: no fertilization (control), A: amino acid fertilizer, B: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer diluent, C: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer dilution + microbial agent, D: amino acid fertilizer + algae extract, E: amino acid fertilizer + microbial agent and F: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer diluent + microbial agent + algae extract. Result: The bio-fertilizer treatments improved the alfalfa seedling emergence, growth and quality. Treatment E increased the emergence rate, plant height and yield by 10.6%, 41.0% and 68.9%, respectively; decreased the stem-leaf ratio, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber by 41.7%, 3.7% and 3.17%, respectively and increased crude protein, crude fat and relative feeding value by 2.5%, 0.5% and 8.6%, respectively; compared with that of the control. Soaking alfalfa seeds in 0.2% amino acid fertilizer and applying 13.5 g microbial agent was suggested as the most efficient fertilization technique to promote alfalfa emergence, growth and quality and provide profits to farmers due to its low cost.