NO-TILL ALFALFA ESTABLISHMENT AS INFLUENCED BY PREVIOUS COVER CROP

Abstract

Conventional tillage was compared with no tillage for establishing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in the residue of previous cover crops. The influences of planting methods and interim cover crops were studied near Blacksburg, Virginia. Alfalfa was seeded (a) in late March into a rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop, (b) in late April after a rye cover crop was harvested for silage, and (c) in late August into stubble left after removing millet (Setaria italica L.) as hay. Millet for the summer cover crop was planted after a rye cover crop was removed for silage. Alfalfa yields in the year after establishment showed no-till plantings to be equal to conventional planting methods. Previous cover crop did not affect alfalfa yields in the year after establishment. Alfalfa was successfully established into residue from rye and millet. Conditions were ideal for late August plantings after removing Millet for hay. Alfalfa stands were weed-free. These data indicate that alfalfa can be established with no-tillage methods into residue from interim cover crops such as rye and millet and will provide good conservation practices.Key words: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), rye, Secale cereale L., no-till, erosion control