Exploring the impact of soil water variability and varietal diversity on alfalfa yield,nutritional quality,and farm profitability  

作　　者：Rudra Baral S.V.Krishna Jagadish Nathan Hein Romulo P.Lollato Aleksan Shanoyan Anil K.Giri Jiyung Kim Myungkyo Kim Doohong Min 

机构地区：[1]University of Missouri Extension,Columbia,Missouri,USA [2]Deartment of Plant and Soil Science,Texas Tech University,Lubbock,Texas,USA [3]Department of Agronomy,Kansas State University,Manhattan,Kansas,USA [4]Department of Agricultural Economics,Kansas State University,Manhattan,Kansas,USA [5]Economic Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture,Kansas City,Missouri,USA [6]School of Business,Hanyang University,Seoul,South Korea

出　　处：《Grassland Research》2023年第4期266-278,共13页草地研究（英文）

基　　金：US Department of Agriculture,National Institute of Food and Agriculture,Grant/Award Number:2019-70005-30238。

摘　　要：Background:Despite high nutritional and economic value,alfalfa yield has not been improved in the United States.Soil moisture critically influences alfalfa's yield and quality,affecting its physiological processes,nutrient uptake,and stand growth.Additionally,the maturity stage at harvest can significantly impact both hay yield and quality.Thus,this study aimed to assess the effect of different soil moisture levels and harvesting times on forage yield,nutritive value,and the overall profitability of commercially cultivated alfalfa.Methods:Two conventional and three lower-lignin alfalfa varieties were planted in a randomized complete block with split plot design under drought,rainfed,and irrigation conditions in 2020 in Manhattan,Kansas,USA.The dry matter yield(DMY)and forage nutritive value were evaluated at late bud,early flowering,and 7 days after early flowering stages,respectively.Results:DMY varied with production year,soil water availability,and growth stages,with drought conditions causing a decline in DMY of 5%to 38%in the second production year.Water conditions and maturity stages influenced crude protein(CP)and in vitro dry matter digestibility(IVDMD).Higher soil moisture and advancing maturity stages negatively impacted CP,IVDMD,and relative forage quality.The study revealed net profit margins of 62%,64%,and 52%for drought-prone,rainfed,and irrigated production,respectively.Conclusions:Harvest timing and irrigation practices were found to have substantial implications for forage yield and nutritive value of alfalfa.The yield-quality trade-off differed under drought and irrigation,with early harvesting leading to lower yields but higher protein content and digestibility.The study findings provide potential guidance for improving alfalfa hay yield,quality,and profitability.

关 键 词：crude protein DROUGHT dry matter yield forage nutritive value IRRIGATION net farm income RAINFED relative forage quality 

分 类 号：S15[农业科学—土壤学]