TH? EFFECT OF SEEDiNG RATSE
ON THE YEELD OF ALFALFA
1N ASSOCIATEQN WiTH GRASS

Thesis for the Degree of M. S.
MECHIGAN STATE COLLEGE
Kuo, Chum-«Yen
1950

  
   
   
   
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
   
  

Thiehtocertifgthatthe «~-

theeie entitled

"he Effect of Seeding Rate
on the Yield. of Alfalfa in
Association with Grace“.

presented by

shun Yen m

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

_n_degree thanmlim'e

Major professor

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THE EEFdCf OE SEmUING RATE CM TnE
YIfiLD OE ALFALEA IN
ASSOCIATION KITH GRASS

BY
Kuo, CHUN-YfiN

.———d

A THfiSIS

Submitted to the School of Graduate
Studies of hicnigan State College of
Agriculture & Applied Science in
partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTiR OF SCIfiNCJ IN AGRICULTURE

Department of Farm Crops

1950

 

v

ACKNCULLDGdHfiNT
The writer wishes to express his thanks
to Dr. Carter M. Harrison for his valuable
advice and encouragement in making this

thesis possible.

0.53.1311}

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

0leT TAN 1‘3

INTRODUCIION

LITdRATJRE REVIEW

EIPEEIMQNTAL PROCEDURE

EXPERIMAMTAL ijULT

DISCUSSION

SUEMARY

BIBLIOGRAPHY

THE EFFECT OF SEEDING RATE ON ThE
YILLD OE ALFALFA IN
ASSLJIATION KITH GRASS

I. INTICDUCTION

The development of the livestock and dairy
industries in the United States has brought about the
extensive growing of forage crops for hay and pasture
in the last few decades.

Because of the wide range of climatic and soil
conditions in the United States, a great variety of
forage crops is required. In many situations a single
species is grown. On the other hand, certain mixtures
have been found to be of great value. It has been
clearly shown that a legume in association with grass
possesses numerous advantages over straight seeding.
However, the rate of seeding of the legume in relation
to the seeding rate of the grass must frequently be
worked out for different species and for different
regions. Likewise, the competitive relationships
between the species in the mixture in comparison to
either grown alone should be studied and seeding rates
selected which will give the desired amount of grass
and legume in the mixture.

This experiment was deSigned with the purpose of
studying the effects on the yield of alfalfa when in

association with four different grasses at various

-2-

rates of seeding. The four grasses used were brome-

grass, timothy, orchard grass and tall fescue.

D

II. RSVIEU OF LITSRATUIE

Wagner and Wilkins (18) reported that legumes in
mixture with orchard grass and smooth bromegrass
improve the quality of pasture through an increase in
the protein content of the mixed herbage.

Fulleman (9) reported that the chemical composition
of a forage crop as expressed in terms of protein,
calcium, phosphorus and magnesium is generally considered
to be closely related to its palatability. The protein
content of alfalfa and alfalfa-grass m'xtures was much
higher than that of the grass alone, the calcium content
of the alfalfa and the alfalfa-grass mixtures was very
high, and bromegrass showed a higher protein content
than orchard grass.

Evans (7) discovered in 30 of 31 comparisons that
the percentage of protein contained in the green leaf
of timothy grown in mixture with clover was higher than
in the leaves of the same grass grown alone. Lawn
clippings from plots where the grass was grown in mixture
with a legume were found to be composed of a large
proportion of green leaves and a correspondingly small
proportion of dry and brown leaves when compared with a

plot where no legume was grown. When timothy was cut at

-3-

an early stage of growth and ensiled, it produced a
silage higher in protein than corn silage.

Churchill (5) reported that the association of the
bromegrass with the alfalfa increased slightly the
percentage protein of the bromegrass regardless of
strain. He reported that the decrease in the protein
content of alfalfa when grown alone in comparison to
that of alfalfa grown with bromegrass was probably
due to greater loss of leaves.

Harrison and Rather (15) reported that bromegrass
is substantially higher in protein content than timothy
and many other grasses, especially at the advanced stage
of maturity. Pure stands on upland soils are limited in
vigor because of lack of sufficient nitrogen. When grown
in the presence of well nourished alfalfa, the bromegrass
remains vigorous, productive, palatable and rich in
nutrients.

Evans (8) reported that the yield of timothy was
highest of the grasses followed by tall fescue, orchard
and brome grass with 5309, #307, 3938 and 3532 pounds
of hay per acre, respectively. Alfalfa sown alone in
comparison to an alfalfa timothy mixture yielded 75LO
and 8180 pounds per acre, respectively.

Churchill (5) found that growing bromegrass and
alfalfa in mixture reduced the acre yield of each

individually when compared with yields of each grown

alone.

-4-

Aberg and associates (1) found that the yield of
bromegrass was lower when grown in association with
orchard grass and timothy than when grown alone, whereas
there was an increase in yield when its partner was al-
falfa. Both orchard grass and timothy proved to be
better producers when grown in mixtures with alfalfa.

Wiggan (19) found that any seed in excess of 20
pounds per acre used in seeding meadow and pasture was
wasted. In a large prOportion of cases 15 pounds is
probably adequate when conditions are favorable.

Evans (7) found in his timothy seeding test that
with each increment of timothy seed, there was a
gradual increase in the percentage of timothy and a
corresponding decrease in the percentage of clover in
the hay. The effect of different rates of seeding tends
to diminish as the stand becomes older, but may persist
for at least three years. In 16 rates of seeding tests
in which timothy was sown in the fall, the rates varied
from 1.25 pounds to 20 pounds per acre. The results
indicated that three or four pounds per acre may be
regarded as satisfactory rate of seeding.

Fuelleman (9) observed that the best seeding rate
depends on the way the crop is to be used. when wanted
mainly for seed, bromegrass planted alone should be

seeded at the rate of about 12 to 18 pounds per acre.

-5-

When it is to be used for hay and pasture 15 to 20
pounds is the best rate. Alfalfa and bromegrass
should be seeded in a ratio of two parts alfalfa to
three parts of bromegrass, for example six pounds of
alfalfa and nine pounds of bromegrass.

Rather and darrison (15) recommended seedings of
alfalfa-brome at eight pounds of alfalfa and seven pounds
of smooth brome. In many of the more recent seedings,
only five pounds to the acre of smooth brome seed have
been used. hichigan farmers using the mixture have
suggested that an even lower rate of brome seed, if
evenly distributed, is desirable to prevent the brome-
grass from dominating the mixture too rapidly.

Hutcheson (12) showed that the seeding rate had
little influence on the yield of alfalfa or of alfalfa-
orchard grass mixtures.

Effect of Seeding Kate on Total Yield of
Hay in Virginia

Pounds of seed sown per acre Yield of field Cured
Alfalfa Orchard grass hay per acre, lbs. av.

10 “ 6:3h0

20 -- 6,890

30 1h 6,660

20 14 7.300

10 14 6,h9o

5 10 6,500

Schotch (16) reported that no significant yield

differences with various seeding rate whether drilled

or broadcasted.

Kethods of Seeding Rate of seeding 3 yrs. av.
per acre, lbs. acre yield,

tons.

10 a 5.58

Broadcasting 15 5.31
20 5.57

8 5.30

Drilled 12 - 5.17
16 5.51

May (13) found that each plant in hay meadow or
pasture mixture is influenced in some way by the pres-
ence of other plants, the relative abundance of any one
species in the mixture may not remain the same seasonally
or annually. The change, often described, may in time
result in a community very unlike the original one. His
experiments indicate that alfalfa will be replaced by
Johnson grass if grown in an alfalfa Johnson grass
mixture.

Ahlgren and Ammodt (2) showed that the development
and activity of roots of certain species of plants may
be affected by the plant metabolism of adjoining roots
and that some species of plants may have a specific
effect on other species which follow on rotation. Toxic
secretion, deficient oxygen, excessive carbon dioxide
and moisture, harmful pH and nitrogen starvation are
among the more important factors listed as being involved

in specific root interactions.

-7-

III. EIPERIALHTAL PROQHDURE

The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse at
Hichigan State College, East Lansing, Eicnigan during
the fall of 19h9. Four grasses were used in various
combinations with alfalfa at different rates of seeding.
They were bromegrass (Bromus inermis), timothy (Phleum
pratense), orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) and tall
fescue (Festuca elatior). Each of the grasses and the
alfalfa were seeded alone as pure species at four,
eight and sixteen pounds per acre to serve as checks.
Then each grass was seeded at four, eight and sixteen
pounds per acre with alfalfa at the same three rates.
Thus there were nine possible combinations for the rate
of seeding treatments within each species of grass in
mixture with alfalfa. Each mixture, and the pure species,
was replicated three times, making a total of 153 pots.

The seed was sown in 10-inch clay pot on September
12, 19h9, using quartz sand instead of soil. With
proportion to the acreage area, it was found that .0228
gram, .0456 gram and .0912 gram of seeds should be plant-
ed in a 10-inch pot to equal four, eight and sixteen
pounds to the acre, respectively. Since the forage crop
seeds are so variable in size and weight, a seed count
determination was made for each grass and alfalfa at
different rates of seeding. The result is given as

follows:

-8-

Crops Rate of Seeding Wt. of seed to No. of seeds
be planted in to be sown

Per acre 10" pot in grams in 10" pot

A g .0228 ll

Alfalfa 8 r .0t56 22
16 # .0912 an

A # .0228 ll

Brome 8 f .0456 22
16 f .0912 Ah

4 # .0228 69

Timothy 8 f .0h56 138
16 f .0912 276

a g .0228 30

Orchard 8 f .0456 60
16 # .0912 120

4 g .0228 9

Fescue 8 f .0h56 18
16 f .0912 36

After sowing, the cultures were watered regularly
and supplied with a nutrient solution to secure the best
growth under fall greenhouse conditions. The nutrient
solution contained the following concentrations and was

applied once or twice per week.

Nutrient Partial volume molecular Conc.
KHZ P0,+ 0.0045
Ca(N03)2 AHZO 0.0090

rash,P 7H20 0.0015

-9-

The greenhouse temperature ranged between 70 to 80
degrees F. and no artificial light was used. The plants
were left to grow until December 18th, 1949. At that
time the first replication of the experiment was harvest-
ed. The sand was washed from the roots and the species
in each mixture were separated. Roots and tops were
weighed separately, both green weight and oven dried
weight being recorded. This harvest extended over a
period of ten days because of the time required to

separate the species within a mixture.
IV. EIPdRIhJNTAL HdSULTS
Yield Comparison Between Mixtures

Despite the different rates of seeding, all cultures
of the same mixture were grouped together to determine
the yield differences between mixtures. The green weight
of root and top for both components in the mixture was
used for this study. Table 1 indicates that the orchard
grass-alfalfa mixture had the highest yield of the mix-
tures studied. The differences in yield between orchard
grass-alfalfa and the other three mixtures was very signif-
icant, a difference of 357 grams being required for signif-

icance at the 5 per cent level. There are no significant

yield difference between alfalfa-brome, alfalfa- timothy,

and alfalfa-tall fescue.

-10..

Table 1. Total Green Wt. of Grasses and Alfalfa
in Different fiixture (Grams)

Mixtures Alfalfa & Alfalfa & Alfalfa & Alfalfa &
Brome Timothy Orchard Fescue
Replication I 1&63 1605 2565 1965
Replication II 1618 1688 2320 2110
Replication III 1987 1695 2305 1915
Total 5068 #988 7190 5990
Average 1689 1662 2396 1996

The mixtures under this experiment were grown for a
period of three months, but this data proves that orchard
grass begins growth earlier and continues more vigorously

especially under greenhouse conditions.

A Split Plot Design Analysis on The Yield
0f Mixtures at Different Rates of Seeding

 

 

Since this experiment was originally designed as a
Split plot, the analysis of yield differences, here
presented, between rates of seeding and mixtures was
based on this design, using the rates of seeding and
different mixtures as the main treatment and sub treat-
ment. Total oven dried weight of top and root growth
for both components in the mixture was used for this

study.

-11-

Table 2. Dry Weight of Both Top and Root Growth
of Mixtures at Different Rates of Seeding

(Yield in Grams From the Average of Three

 

Pots)
Alfalfa Grass Grass in Kixture
Seeding Seeding
Rate Rate Brome Timothy Orchard Fescue Aver.
. afi/A 19.5 33.6 48.0 30.8 33.0
uy/A 8f/A 31.6 35.6 58.3 A7.5 h3.3
163/1 37.8 41.8 73.5 53.0 51.5
H h#/A 17.3 23.0 28.8 15.3 21.1
89/1 8g/A 31.0 28.8 31.8 23.3 28.7
léfi/A 31.5 26.3 53;1 h3.5 38.6
H hfi/A 20.1 23.3 37.1 19.0 24.9
165/1 3f/A 30.1 19.0 28.0 25.6 25.7
165/1 12.0 42.3 50.6 12.5 hh.5
Total 785.5 822.0 1228.5 903.0
Average 29.0 30.h #5.5 33.4

It was found that yield required for significant
difference at 5% level between rates of seeding and mix-
tures were 7 grams and h.6 grams, respectively. Comparing
the average yield between different rates of seeding
regardless of its mixture, it is clearly shown in Table 2
that with each increment in seeding rates of grasses there
is a notable increase in yield. Though the seeding rate
of grass is doubled the yield does not respond proportion-
ately. It is worthy to note that there is no slight
indication of increase in yield when the seeding rate of
alfalfa is increased. This can be explained by further

analysis on the proportion of alfalfa in each mixture at

-12-

different rates of seeding. Since alfalfa is not so
aggressive in growth as the grasses, each increment in
seeding rate does not influence the yield greatly. So
far as the yield as a whole is concerned, it seems that
four pounds of alfalfa sown with sixteen pounds of grass
has the highest average yield.

It is noted in Table 2 that the average yield
differences between the mixtures are substantially the
same as we found in Table 1. This further proves that
there is a close and positive correlation existing be-
tween green weight and oven dried weight of the yield of
alfalfa and grasses.

With each increment in seeding rate of bromegrass
in the alfalfa brome mixture, there was a significant
response in the differences of yield. This statement
also holds true in the alfalfa-orchard and alfalfa-fescue
mixtures when the rate of seeding of orchard grass and
fescue were increased. However, there are a few exceptions
in these comparisons, as no difference in yield was observ-
ed between alfalfa and brome, each seeded at eight pounds
to the acre and eight pounds of alfalfa seeded with sixteen
pounds of brome grass. There was a significant decrease in
yield when eight pounds of orchard grass were sown with
sixteen pounds of alfalfa when compared to four pounds per
acre of orchard grass. These variations may be due to

experimental error or other causes. In the alfalfa

-13-

timothy mixture, there was no significant difference in
yield when the rate of timothy seeding was doubled. In
each individual mixture, no notable yield differences
were observed when the rate of alfalfa seeding was in-
creased.
Yield Comparison Between Kixture and
their Components seeded alone
at Various Rates of Seeding

The total green weight in grams of top and root of
individual mixtures and their components seeded alone
were used for this analysis. In the alfalfa brome
mixture, as shown in Table 3, when alfalfa and brome-
grass were each seeded alone it seems that there was
significant increase in yield with each increase in rate
of seeding. By comparing the straight seedings with the
mixture, the straight alfalfa and straight brome at high
rate of seeding yielded more or less the same and a little
bit higher than the highest yield of alfalfa brome
mixture.

Table 4 indicates that a straight seeding of timothy
yielded a little better than the alfalfa-timothy mixture.
The highest yield was found by sowing 8 pounds of timothy
alone. With regard to the mixture it seems that there was

no striking differences among various rates of seeding.

-14-

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-15-

The orchard grass seeded with four pounds of alfalfa
gave the best yield (Table 5). Increasing the rate of
alfalfa seeding when sown in mixture with orchard grass,
decreased considerably the total weight harvested.
Doubling the rate of seeding of orchard grass in mixture
did not increase the yield according y. This is why
orchard grass seeded alone at four pounds per acre showed
no differences in yield when compared to its high rate of
seeding. It seems that the mixture had a better yield
than straight alfalfa seeding but no difference in yield
was observed between the mixture and orchard grass seeded
alone.

Table 6 indicates that both yields of alfalfa-fescue
mixture and straight fescue were increased when a high
rate of seeding of fescue was used. It was also found

that increasing

J

the rate of alfalfa seeding in the

mixture did not increase its yield. 0n the contrary, it
was observed that a significant decrease in yield occurred
when four or eight pounds of fescue were seeded with eight
or sixteen pounds of alfalfa when compared to four pounds
of alfalfa. The mixture in which fescue was seeded at
sixteen pounds snowed a notable increase in yield over
that of straight alfalfa seeding. Ho significant
difference in yield could be seen between the mixture

and straight fescue at same rate of seeding.

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-17-

Deteamination of Alfalfa Yield in Various Iixtures
at Different Rates of Seeding

 

 

Table 7 indicates that total alfalfa yield in the
alfalfa-brome mixture was decreased even when compared
with the lowest rate of seeding of straight alfalfa. In
straight alfalfa, as mentioned before, by increasing the
rate of seeding the total yield was significantly
increased. In the mixture it seems that alfalfa yield
was but slightly affected by varying the rate of seeding
of bromegrass. In other words, regardless of the rate
of bromegrass seed being used, the alfalfa showed an
increase in yield with each increment in alfalfa seeding
rate althougl the difference was not so promising.

In the alfalfa-timothy mixture the same statement
can be made that straight alfalfa seeding had a much
better yield than the alfalfa yield in the mixture. No
clear indication was observed that the alfalfa yield was
increased with eaCh increment of alfalfa seeding in this
mixture. It is clearly shown that with each increment
of timothy seeding there was a marked decrease in the
alfalfa yield. 50, four pounds of timothy seeded with
eight or sixteen pounds of alfalfa seems to give the
best yield of alfalfa (Table 8).

A considerable reduCtion in alfalfa yield was
observed with each increment of orchard grass seeding,
while alfalfa yield in the mixture was increased by
increasing the rate of alfalfa seeding. It seems that

sixteen pounds of alfalfa seeded with four pounds of

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-19-

orchard rass gave the best yield of alfalfa. None of

the mixtures in fable 9 snows an alfalfa yield as high

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lfalfa seedin .

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as obtained in straight I

S

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Alfalfa yield in association with fescue showed the
same responses as in the timothy_and orchard alfalfa
mixtures. But the decrease in alfalfa yield was not so
distinct as the rate of fescue seeding was increased.
The best alfalfa yield was observed by sowing sixteen
pounds of alfalfa in the mixture. No difference in
alfalfa yield could be seen when alfalfa was seeded with
four pounds to the acre as compared to that seeded at
eight pounds in the mixture.

By comparing the total alfalfa yield in these four
mixtures, it is clearly shown that the alfalfa-brome
mixture ranks first in terms of total alfalfa yield
followed by alfalfa-fescue, alfalfa-orchard and
alfalfa-timothy in the order of production.

Determination of Grass Yield in Association
with ALEaLflA at different Rates of seeding

 

 

A similar analysis was made of the grass yield in
association with alfalfa at different rates of seeding.
A composite table was made with G denoting the grass
seeding rate in the mixture.

In general, all the grass yields in mixtures were
lower than their respective rate of seeding in straight
seeding. But, a few exceptions such as orchard grass,

and fescue seeded with four pounds of alfalfa to the acre

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-22-

had almost the same grass yield as their straight seeding.
' In the brome-alfalfa mixture it seems that the brome
yield was increased with eacn increase of brome seeding
rate. ho increase in brome yield was observed by increas-
ing the rate of alfalfa seeding in the mixture. However,
a slight decline in brome yield could be noted when eight
or sixteen pounds of alfalfa was used in the mixture
instead of four pounds. The best combination for produc-
ing more brome was found to be sixteen pounds of brome
seeded with four pounds of alfalfa.

In the timothy-alfalfa mixture, the timothy yield
was consistently decreased with each increment of
alfalfa seeding. No consistent increase in timothy
yield was shown, however, by increasing the timothy
seeding in the mixture. Sixteen pounds of timothy seed-
ed with four pounds of alfalfa gave the best timothy
yield in the mixture.

Orcnard grass seeded with four pounds of alfalfa
gave the best yield of orchard grass. Increasing the
rate of orchard in the mixture did not increase its yield
much. Eight pounds of orchard grass seeded with four
pounds of alfalfa was found to be a good combination as
far as the yield of orcnard grass in the mixture was
concerned.

Fescue yield was markedly increased in the mixture

with each increase in rate seeding. But the fescue yield

-23-

was not affected by increasing the rate of alfalfa seeding.
Sixteen pounds of fescue seeded with four pounds of
alfalfa was the best combination.

do far as the total grass yield is concerned orchard
grass showed a significantly higher yield than other
grasses in the mixture.

Root Growth of Grasses a Alfalfa as Influenced
by Their Lixtures at different hates of deeding

 

 

The green weight of roots in each culture and the
average per culture for the various treatments are given
in Table 12.

The average green weight of brome roots in the
alfalfa-brome mixture was increased with each increment
of brome seeding rate. A slight decrease in weight of
brome was observed by increasing the rate of alfalfa
seeding in the mixture. In the same mixture, the weight
of alfalfa root was not affected by the various rates of
brome seeding. however, it indicates a considerable in-
crease in the weight of alfalfa root when high rates of
alfalfa seeding were applied. The weight of brome roots
in the mixture was slightly decreased by the presence of
alfalfa when compared with the straight seeding.

By varying the rate of timothy seeding, the root
weight of timothy in the mixture showed a very inconsistent
response. dtill a general tendency of increase in timothy

root weight could be observed with each increment of

-24-

 

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-25-

 

 

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a.soa m.ae e.es a.em a.sa a.sa as aea
ea.mam e.am m.aoa e.ee oa e.me aea we
m.mma a.sm a.soa m.am m m.am we we
e.aa m.am m.oe m.mm ea.a m.aa as we
m.oom e.ma e.eoa a.om . m.e e.mm aea as
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e.ssa m.as m.moa e.em a.sa m.ms a“ a“
mam . mam a.ama . a.sma sea
mam . mam m.maa . m.maa am
mom . mom e.ama . e.ama em
m.eom a.mm m.eea as m.e m.me aea sea
e.ama a.sa e.soa a.sa m.o a.ms we aea
sea e.ae e.aaa e.se e.ea me as aea
mom m.ea e.mea ea e.s m.ae sea He
aea om asa a.sa m.m am we gm
a.ama e.mm m.moa a.em e.e m.os a we
e.omm m.e m.amm a.eaa m a.maa aea es
m.mmm m.aa a.smm a.soa a.m a.ooa we &
m.aaa a.sa e.aea a.sa m.e a.mm am a“
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-26-

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Hence maaeaaa means
pooe

Ap-Coov .NH mHnme

-27-

timothy seeding in the mixture. Sixteen pounds of
timothy seeded with eight pounds of alfalfa and eight
pounds of timothy seeded with sixteen pounds of alfalfa
were the exceptions to this statement. When the alfalfa
seeding rate was increased from four pounds to eight
pounds to the acre, a marked decrease of the weight of
timothy was observed, but no difference in timothy root
weight was shown when alfalfa seed was increased from
eight pounds to sixteen pounds. It is also true that
timothy seeded alone had a greater weight of roots than
that in the mixture at the same rate of seeding. The
alfalfa root weight in the mixture showed a distinct
decrease as the rate of timothy seeding was increased.
Positive response on the weight of alfalfa roots was ob-
tained with each increment of alfalfa seeding in the mixture.
In the orchard-alfalfa mixture, the orchard grass
showed an increase and alfalfa roots a decrease in weight
when the rate of orchard seeding was increased. As the
rate of an alfalfa seeding was increased from four pounds
to eight pounds, it was odd to note that the weight of
orchard roots in the mixture was markedly decreased.
At the same time there was not the least indication that
alfalfa root weight was affected by this change. With
each increment of the seeding rate of orchard grass seeded
alone, there was no difference in root weight. It also

outyielded considerably the orchard roots in the mixture.

-28-

With each increment of fescue seed in the mixture and
in the straight seeding, the fescue root weight was also
increased. Althougd there was some variation, a general
tendency could be observed that fescue roots showed a
decrease in weight when the alfalfa seed was increased in
the mixture.

Alfalfa seeded alone showed an increase in root
weight with each increment of seeding rate and also out-
yielded several times that of the alfalfa roots in the
mixtures under the same rate of seeding.

do far as the weight of alfalfa roots in the various
mixtures is concerned, it seems that alfalfa had its best
root growth when seeded with brome grass. The alfalfa-
fescue mixture also furnished very favorable conditions
for alfalfa root growth. The weight of alfalfa roots was
decreased to one half when seeded with orchard or timothy.

Alfalfa-orchard mixture had a better total root
growth than the rest of the mixtures.

Top Growth of Alfalfa and Grasses and Their
Lixtures at Various Rates of seeding

Table 12 also indicates that a close relationship
existed between root growth and top growth of the grass
and the legumes in the mixtures when their rates of seeding
were changed. however, a striking difference can be observ-
ed in that the alfalfa brome mixture gave the best top

growth of alfalfa among the mixtures.

-29-
V. DISCUSSION

In discussing the results of this experiment, it
should be noted that the plants were grown under green-
house conditions. Sand culture with nutrient solution
was applied to all plants in this experiment and no
artificial inoculation was made. So, the findings in
this experiment were solely based on the botanical
interactions of different grasses with alfalfa as
affected by varying the rates of seeding. When the sand
was washed from the roots during the harvest, the nodules
on the alfalfa roots were very seldom seen. 80, the
yield of grass in this experiment was not benefited by the
presence or absence of a legume for furnishing the nitrogen
to the mixture as each pot received the same amount of
nutrient.

This experiment was only grown for a period of three
months. The total yield of the different mixtures at
various rates of seeding found in this experiment might
not be the same as under field conditions. However, many.
differences have been observed between different mixtures
at various rates of seeding in this experiment under green-
house conditions.

The experimental error in this type of experiment is

always quite a problem and is hard to control. The

-30-

location of steam pipes with regard to the position of
pots, differential lighting and improper handling in
washing sand from the roots and many others were sources
of error in this experiment. The analysis of variance
was applied in this experiment with the purpose of
presenting the result with the least amount of error. It
was found that more replications should be used for this
sort of experiment.

From all the data presented in the preceeding
paragraphs, the alfalfa-orchard mixture had the highest
yield among the mixtures. This can be best explained by
orchard grass having a quick growth characteristic and
by growing more vigorously, especially under greenhouse
conditions. It further proves the above statement as
orchard grass seeded at four pounds to the acre had the
same yield as at high rate of seeding. This is why four
pounds of orchard seeded with sixteen pounds of alfalfa
gave the best result.

It was clearly shown in this experiment that with
each increment of grass seed used in mixture that it
increased the proportion of grass yield accordingly
and at the same time the proportion of alfalfa decreased.
This statement did not hold true in the alfalfa-timothy
mixture. This is due to the fact that timothy seed are

so small in size and at four pounds to the acre, a total

-31-

of 69 seeds were planted in each lO-inch pot. So, the
size of the seed should be considered as one of the
factors in determining the proper rate of seeding. Using
timothy as an example, the increase in the seeding rate
simply caused increased competition for nutrients and
light, thus resulting in a very small proportion of
alfalfa in the mixture.

By increasing the rate of alfalfa seeding in the
mixture, it did not affect the total yield of the mix-
ture. A distinct difference in alfalfa yield in mixture
was observed when compared with a straight alfalfa seeding.
It is especially true when the mixture is grown with a
culture solution. However, if one examines the proportion
. of alfalfa in the mixture, the presence of alfalfa was
increased with each increment of alfalfa seeding.

With regard to the root growth in the mixture, the
same statement can be drawn as with the total yield. The
grass root growth was increased with each increment of
grass seeding, while at the same time the alfalfa root
growth in the mixture was decreased. By increasing the
seeding rate of alfalfa the grass roots were not
influenced very much but the alfalfa root was undoubtedly
increased.

It is an observed tendency that the yield of a

mixture is increased by increasing the rate of seeding

-32-

of both components. But due to the different specific
plant growing characteristics, the limited space of
light and moisture and the limited supply of available
nutrients, the increase in yield did not respond
proportionately as the rate of seeding was increased.
In many cases the yield was decreased by using an
excessive amount of seed. dowever, this might well be
explained on the basis of increased growth per plant at
the reduced seeding rates.

Dominance of any given species of the mixture in any
particular environment has usually been attributed to
different moisture, temperature, light and fertility
requirement.

Apparently, the grass mixture relationship is
complicated by many environmental factors. This makes
it most important to study mixtures in order to determine

their adaptations to local condition.

-33-
VI. SUHLARY

Alfalfa was combined separately in mixture with
brome grass, timothy, orchard grass and tall fescue.
These mixtures were grown in quartz sand in the green-
house in lO-inch clay pots using nutrient solutions,
and seeded at various rates. Three levels of seeding
rates, four, eight and sixteen pounds to the acre, were
used for each grass and for the legume in the mixture,
thus forming nine possible combinations of rates of
seeding for each mixture.

There were differences between the yields of the
mixtures. Orchard grass in association with alfalfa had
the highest yield in this experiment, while the rest of
the three mixtures were about equal in yield.

With each increment of seeding rate there was, in
nearly every case, an increase in total yield, but such
responses in yield were not in proportion to the amount
of seed applied.

The differences obtained in the various mixtures at
different rates of seeding indicates that plant competi-
tion was present between various grasses with alfalfa.
These competitions or interactions are no doubt profoundly
influenced by environmental conditions such as light,

nutrient, moisture and temperature.

-34-

Seeding two species together, a legume and a
grass tended to restrict the top and root growth of

both species when compared to either grown alone.

VII.

l.

10.

.10A

BIBLIUGRAPHY

Aberg, Associations between species of grasses
and legumes. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 35,
pp. 357-309, May, 1943.

Ahlgren, H. L., harmful root interaction as a
possible explanation for effects noted between
various species of grasses and legumes. Jour.
Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 31, pp. 982-985, Nov.
1939.

Ahlgren, H. L., Brome grass and alfalfa. Wisc.
Agr. nxt. Circ. Vol. 3L4, l9h4.

Benedict, H. K., Inhibiting effect of dead root
on the growth of brome grass. Jour. Amer. doc.
Agron. Vol.33, pp. 110§-1109, Dec. 19a1.

Churchill, B. R., Productiveness of brome grass
strains from different regions when grown in

pure stand and in mixture with alfalfa in Michigan.
Jour. Amer. doc. Agron. Vol. 39, pp. 75u-761,l9h7.

Churchill, B. 3., Smooth Brome grass seed produc-
tion in Iichigan. Lich. Agr. Expt. Sta. Cir. Bul.
192, l9hh.

mvans, Some effects of legumes on associated non
legumes. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 8, pp.

34§-357, Nov. 1916.

Evans, Timothy Culture. Ohio Agr. Expt. dta. Bul.

603, PP- l-SA, 1939.

Fulleman, R. F., Brome grass and brome grass mix-
tures. Ill. Agr. mxpt. Sta. Bul. 496, 1943.

Harrison, C. E., Seed production of smooth brome
grass as influenced by applications of nitrogen.
Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 33, pp. o43-651,
July, l9hl.

Harrison, C. h. and Erdmann, Kentucky Bluegrass
and Chewing Fescue in Lawn and Mixtures. Jour.
Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 39, Aug. 1947.

11.

12.

13.

14.

l7.

l8.

l9.

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hollowell, 3. A., The effect of rate of planting
on yields of adapted and unadapted red clover.
Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 33, pp. 569-571,
June, 1941.

Hutcheson, T. B. and Lc Vickar, H. H. Alfalfa
production in Virginia. Va. Agr. Expt. sta.
Bul. 393, April, 1946.

hay, D. 1., Changes in the proportion and yield
of alfalfa and Korean lespedeza in mixture with
grasses. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. 'Vol. 34, pp.
856-859, Sept. 1942.

Rather, H. C. and Harrison, C. L., Alfalfa
management with special reference to fall treat-
ment. mich. Agr. mxpt._dta. 5p. Bul. 292, 1938.

Rather, H. C. and Harrison, C. K., Alfalfa and
smooth brome grass for pasture and hay. Kich.
Agr. Expt. Sta. Cir. Bul. 189, 1944.

Schotch, H. A. and Hyslop, G. R., Alfalfa in
Hestern Oregon. Oregon Agr. fixpt. Sta. Bul.
246, Kay, 1929.

Torrie, J. A., Kethods of evaluation of red
clover strains grown alone and with timothy in
small plots. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 37,
pp. 852-857, Oct. 1945.

hagner, R. 3., Effect of Legumes on the Percentage
of crude protein in orchard grass and brome grass.
Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. Vol. 39, pp. 141-145,
1947.

Wiggans, R. G., Studies of various factor influence
the yield and the duration of life of meadow and
pasture plants. Cornell Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 424,
1923. ‘

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