Abstract
Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential nutrients for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) growth, but P deficiency in soil is a common phenomenon. Applying an appropriate amount of P fertilizer for alfalfa in the establishment year improves winter survival, helps achieve sustainable high yields, and promotes the best economic returns. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different P fertilization rates (0, 22, 44, and 66 kg P ha−1) on winter survival, forage yield, and root traits of two late-summer seeded alfalfa cultivars (dormant and semi-dormant) in the establishment and first production year. Our results showed that applying an appropriate amount of P fertilizer can increase forage yield and enhance the persistence of late-summer seeded alfalfa by promoting the development of crown and root traits and improving winter survival, especially for semi-dormant cultivars. Late-summer seeding and application of appropriate P fertilizer rates are effective agronomic methods for alfalfa in cold and arid winter regions, and can be used as strategies to improve fertility and stabilize soil from wind erosion for sustainable agriculture. To obtain high rate of survival in winter, the optimal P fertilization rates for the dormant and semi-dormant alfalfa cultivars in this study were 31.4 and 41.3 kg P ha−1, whereas the optimum P application rates for high forage yields were 31.3 and 31.5 kg P ha−1, respectively.
Highlights
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important perennial legume forage worldwide due to its high nutritional quality, high biomass production, and capacity to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions [1]
The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine if P fertilization would improve the establishment and first-year yield of late-summer seeded alfalfa cultivars with different fall dormancy; and (ii) evaluate the relationships between winter survival, yields, and P
The effects of different P fertilizer rates on plant density were investigated on 26 June 2020
Summary
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important perennial legume forage worldwide due to its high nutritional quality, high biomass production, and capacity to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions [1]. It is a deep-rooted herbaceous perennial, capable of surviving extreme cold and drought, and can continue to produce for several years without needing to be replanted [2].
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