Study

Effect of overseeding forages into alfalfa on alfalfa weevil, forage yield and quality

  • Published source details Putnam D.H., Long R., Reed B.A. & Williams W.A. (2001) Effect of overseeding forages into alfalfa on alfalfa weevil, forage yield and quality. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 187, 75-81.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use mixed pasture

Action Link
Natural Pest Control
  1. Use mixed pasture

    A randomised, replicated, controlled trial in 1994-1997 on plots of alfalfa Medicago sativa in California, USA (Putnam et al. 2001) found fewer Egyptian alfalfa weevil Hypera brunneipennis larvae in mixed alfalfa pastures (2.7-9.5 weevils/sweep) than in alfalfa-only plots (5.5-12.2 weevils/sweep) in all three years. Total forage yield for the first four harvests of each year was higher in 1994-1995 in alfalfa mixed with either berseem clover Trifolium alexandrinum or oats Avena sativa and similar between monoculture and mixed pasture plots in 1995-1996 and 1996-1997. The density of weeds was generally lower in mixed pastures than alfalfa-only pasture over all three years. The alfalfa plots had been established for 2-5 years. Plots were replicated six times in 1994-1995 (plots 3.6 x 9 m) and 1995-1996 (3.6 x 14 m) and three times in 1996-1997 (16 x 30 m). The plots were lightly harrowed and sown with either berseem clover, oats, orchardgrass Dactylis glomerata or red clover Trifolium pratense in October each year. Ten sweep net samples were taken in each plot.

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