Illlllllllllllllllllllll limo 3 1293 01400 This is to certify that the thesis entitled A Comparison of Seeding Rates of Four Cool Season Grasses with Alfalfa in Binary Mixtures presented by .Michael L. Metzger has been accepted towards fulfillment of the requirements for Masters degree in Crop and Soil Sciences fl Major professor Datef’/’9( 0-7639 MS U is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution LifiRARY Michigan State University PLACE ll RETURN BOXtomovothbchockMflun ywrncord. TO AVOID FINES Mum on or before date duo. DATE DUE DATE DUE DATE DUE a T p l 1 J a m usu ioAnAiflnnItNoMlm/Equd Opportunity Imam _ Wm” A COMPARISON OF SEEDING RATES OF FOUR COOL SEASON GRASSI'E WITH ALFALFA IN BINARY MIXTURES By Michael Larry Metzger A THESIS Submitted to Michigan State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Crop and Soil Sciences 1995 UMI Number: 1376334 UMI Hicroforn 1376334 Capyright 1995. by UMI Company. All rights reserved. This nicrofor- edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17. united States Code. UMI 300 Ebrth Zeeb Road Ann Arbor, MI 48103 ABSTRACT A COMPARISON OF SEEDING RATES OF FOUR COOL SEASON GRASSES WITH ALFALFA IN BINARY MIXTURES By Michael Larry Metzger Traditionally, forages have been grown in monoculturcs for maximum yield and quality. With the renewed interest in grass-legume mixtures for sustainable forage production in Michigan concerns have been expressed for the impact of grass seeding rate and the relationship on forage biomass. Thus, a randomized complete block experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of varying the grass seeding rate when the alfalfa seeding rate was constant on grass dry matter yield, alfalfa dry matter yield, total dry matter yield, and forage quality at three cutting dates for four harvests. In most cases the binary mixtures produced a higher yield of total dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone. In many cases seeding grasses with legumes reduced the weed component only during the first harvest of following Wing and not in subsequent harvests. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank the many people who helped with my research along the way. Many thanks go to Dr. Moline for his patience and understanding. I would also like to thank my parents for the support. They seemed to know when to push and when to stand back and watch. I would like to thank Rusty Plummet, who was the technician who helped me get the research established. I would also like to thank Dana Barclay and John Gingras who helped with the final presentation of the data. There were also several undergraduates and others who helped along the way. A thank you to you all. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ....................................................... v LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................... vi INTRODUCTION ......................................................... 1 MATERIALS AND METHODS ........................................ 4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ......................................... 6 CONCLUSIONS ......................................................... 41 REFERENCES ........................................................... 42 Table III IV VI VII VIII IX XI LIST OF TABLES First harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Second harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume ming rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Third harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Seasonal averages of DM yield in kg/ha at the CI'RC for 1991. Total forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. First harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Second harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Third harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume ming rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Seasonal averages of DM yield in kg/ha at the LCES for 1991. Total harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. First harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. 10 13 15 16 2O 22 25 27 28 31 XII XIV Second harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Third harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass- legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Seasonal averages of DM yield in kg/ha at the SWMREC for 1991. Total harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. vi 34 35 38 39 INTRODUCTION Forage legumes are an important part of feeding ruminant livestock, because animals can efficiently convert these fibrous feeds into meat, milk, and fiber. In the United States there has been a traditional emphasis placed upon high legume yields. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the primary forage legumes used for animal fwds in the north, central, and western regions of the USA. It has the highest fwding value of all commonly grown hay crops (Marten, et a1. 1988) Grass-legume forage mixtures are an important part of animal agriculture in the temperate United States and Canada (Casler 1988). In recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on putting animals on pastures (Michigan Ag. Statistics). Alfalfa alone when grazed has a high potential to cause bloat in ruminant animals. 0n the other hand when grass is growing in combination with alfalfa, the bloat hazard is much less (Casler and Carlson 1995). Other advantages of using mixtures over pure stands of either grass or alfalfa include erosion and wwd control and prolonged stand longevity (Drolsom and Smith, 1976). Potential disadvantages are differences in growth habit, regrowth potential and physiological growth requirements, which often prohibit effective use of management techniques to maintain the components of the mixture (Casler, 1988). In 1986, Smith et a1. determined that even if both parts of the binary mixture could be maintained that it was 1 2 even more difficult to maintain them at a specified level. This becomes very difficult to achieve when trying to manage the mixture based on the needs of only one component of the mixture (Smith, 1968). Several temperate grasses are commonly grown with alfalfa for pasture, hay, or silage in the temperate zone of the United States and Canada. Management of the binary mixtures is usually based on traditional monoculture alfalfa management criteria (Smith et al, 1986). Bromegrass (Bromus inemtis L.), orchardgrass (Dacrylis glomerata L.), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) are all commonly grown with alfalfa throughout the northern United States (Casler and Carlson 1995, Christie and McElroy 1995, McElroy and Kunelius 1995). Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) tends not to be as persistent as other perennial temperate grasses and is grown where the winters tend to be less harsh (Balasko, Evers, and Duell 1995). Performance of grass-legume mixtures is possibly not being optimized (Rogers, 1966), because the best cultivars for pure stands are not necessarily the best for mixtures with alfalfa (Casler and Drolsom, 1984; Weiss and Mukerji, 1950; Wilsie, 1949). Also, it is possible that some cultivars producing large amounts of seeds could be dominating the markets regardless of forage production (Casler, 1988). High productivity in pure stands is often associated with poor competitive ability in mixed stands (van den Bergh, 1968 and Rhodes, 1969). In 1949 Wilsie concluded that yield testing of binary mixtures cannot be replaced by pure stand yield trials. A major limitation for some of the grasses, including timothy and smooth bromegrass, has been their persistence under three cut systems that are harvested for hay or silage (Smith, 1968). 3 Establishment seeding rates for binary mixtures of grass and alfalfa were originally set up on a seeds per square foot basis (Ahlgren 1956). Wheeler in 1950 recommends 10 pounds of alfalfa and 6 to 8 pounds of bromegrass when grown for hay. He also recommends that 5 to 8 pounds of orchardgrass be used in grass—alfalfa mixtures. Wheeler also recommends that timothy be sown at 3 to 5 pounds per acre and that the alfalfa should be at 4 to 6 pounds per acre and that ryegrass should be planted at 4 to 6 pounds per acre when used in a mixture for hay or pasture. With increasing costs of production and questions relating to maintainability, we thought it necessary to determine how much grass to seed along with alfalfa. Materials and Methods This study was conducted in 1991 at three locations in Michigan: the Michigan State University Campus Teaching and Research Farm in East Lansing, the Southwest Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, and the Lake City Experiment Station in Lake City. Soils were tested at all locations, and based upon Michigan State University soil test lab recommendations no fertilizer was applied at establishment. The plots at all three locations were established by drilling the alfalfa conventionally at 13.4kg/ha, and then broadcasting on the grass seed by hand on to each plot. The plots at the Southwest location were established on June 7, 1990. This location was summer seeded, because irrigation was available for establishment if needed, but there was enough rainfall that no irrigation was applied. These plots were harvested once during the establishment year on August 7, 1990 but no data were taken. The Lake City location was planted on August 3, 1990 and the East Lansing location was planted on August 27, 1990 each in the same manner. Soil types varied by location. The soil type at the CTRC is a Capac loam(Fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Areic Ochraqualfs). The soil type at the LCES is a Nester sandy loam(Fine, mixed Typic Eutroboralfs), and the soil type at the SWMREC is a Selfridge loamy sand(Loamy, mixed, mesic Aquic Arenic Hapludalfs). 5 Seeding rates were selected based upon the recommended rates. These rates were originally setup based on a mds per square foot basis. The medium rate (which was the currently recommended rate) was based on 28 seeds per square foot. Timothy was seeded at .45, .89, and 1.78 kg/ha for the low, medium, and high seeding rates respectfully. In the 10 foot by 20 foot plots this corresponded to 1.045g for the low seeding rate plot, 2.091g for the medium seeding rate plot and 4.181g for the high seeding rate plots. Orchardgrass was planted at .89, 1.78, and 3.56 kg/ha for the three seeding rates or 2.091g of seed for the low seeding rate plots, 4.181g of seed for the medium seeding rate, and 8.363g for the high seeding rate plots. Bromegrass at 8.363g for the low seeding rate, 16.726g for the high seeding rate, and 33.451g for the high swding rate was used in the plots to correspond to 3.56, 7.12, and 14.24 kg/ha for bromegrass. Ryegrass was Wed at 2.2, 4.5, and 8.9 kg/ha. The low Wing rate plots were seeded with 5.267g of seed, the medium seeding rate with 10.453g of seed, and the high seeding rate with 20.097g of ryegrass seed. Alfalfa was Wed at 13.4 kg/ha, or 76 seeds per square foot in all plots. The plots were scheduled for harvest based on the alfalfa being at one-tenth bloom. Three harvests were taken from each plot during 1991. The weather in Michigan for the 1991 growing season was extremely hot and dry. Yields for the cool season grasses need to take this consideration into account. Samples for dry matter yield were taken randomly from each plot using a quarter meter quadrat. The plant material was cut using hand grass shears. After all plots had been sampled, the entire area was cut using a flail chopper and the plant material hauled away. 6 Samples were taken to the lab for hand separation of alfalfa, desired grass, and other. These samples were then placed in drying ovens to determine dry matter yield. Analysis of variance calculations(ANOVA) for DM yields were then performed. Means for DM were separated by Fischer's Protected Least Significance Difference (LSD) test at the 5 % level of significance. Results and Discussion Campus Teaching and Research Center First Harvest Dry matter production in the first harvest of 1991 (Table I), had significant differences due to both grass mixture and seeding rate. The ryegrass mixture produced significantly more dry matter than the orchardgrass or timothy mixtures. There was no statistical differences in yields between ryegrass and bromegrass. Timothy produced significantly more than orchardgrass. There was no significant difference in dry matter yield in orchardgrass due to seeding rate. The high seeding rate of bromegrass produced significantly more dry matter than alfalfa alone during first harvest. Both high and medium ryegrass seeding rate mixtures produced significantly more than both the alfalfa alone or low ryegrass seeding rates during first harvest. The high ryegrass seeding rate produced significantly more than the medium ryegrass mixture. There were no significant differences in forage production between low ryegrass seeding rates and the alfalfa seeded alone. Both the high and the medium mding rate of timothy yields were significantly more than the low timothy or the alfalfa seeded alone. The were no significant differences in production between the high and the medium timothy or the low timothy and the alfalfa alone. Based on grass seeding rates, there were significant differences in legume dry matter yield for the first harvest of the 1991 growing season. Orchardgrass, bromegrass, Table I. First harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2576 0 660 3236 High 1372 1728 860 3960 Alf lf 1 offhaigguriss Medium 1116 320 636 2572 Low 1476 596 884 2952 High 1836 2352 380 4572 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 1360 1992 716 4068 Low 1552 1428 912 3892 High 1148 5724 252 7124 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 1028 5324 228 5776 Law 620 3160 204 3980 High 644 4384 324 5352 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 832 3924 660 5412 Law 980 856 784 2620 LSD.os 540 928 416 1044 ryegrass, and timothy produced similar results when legume production was compared with alfalfa seeded alone. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume forage than all of the grasses in co-culture with the alfalfa. Also there were no significant differences 9 in legume dry matter production between high, medium, or low within any of the grass mixtures during first harvest. The 1991 first harvest had significant differences in grass dry matter production when comparing seeding rate and grass specie mixture. Ryegrass yields were significantly higher in grass dry matter yields than orchardgrass, bromegrass, or timothy. Timothy produced significantly more than orchardgrass or bromegrass. There was no significant difference in grass dry matter production between orchardgrass and bromegrass. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass yields were significantly more in grass composition than the low seeding rate of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences in grass production between the low and the medium orchardgrass seeding rates or between the high and the medium seeding rates. Bromegrass had no significant differences in grass yields between any of the seeding rates. The high ryegrass seeding rate produced significantly more grass dry matter than the medium seeding rate. The medium ryegrass seeding rate, in turn, produced significantly more grass then the low seeding rate of ryegrass. There was no significant difference in grass dry matter production between the high and the medium timothy seeding rates. Both the high and the medium timothy seeding rates produced significantly more grass than the low timothy Ming rate. There were no significant differences in weed dry matter in any of the treatments during the first harvest of the 1991 growing season. Wwd production was negatively correlated (r=.76 P2.01) with grass production(y=5514-4.6957x) during first harvest following seeding. Second Harvest In the second harvest of 1991 (Table 11) there were significant differences in total production based only on grass mixture. Bromegrass produced significantly more dry matter than ryegrass or timothy reflecting season of growth. Orchardgrass yields were significantly higher than timothy in the second harvest. differences between orchardgrass and bromegrass or between ryegrass and timothy. Table 11. Second harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2852 0 100 2952 High 1364 1548 84 2996 31:31:13; Medium 1932 1072 12 3016 Low 1892 476 292 2656 High 2204 784 76 3064 $21,225:: Medium 2456 800 60 3316 Low 2144 632 24 2800 High 1500 908 12 2420 3:22;!“ Medium 2024 424 0 2448 Low 1400 1096 236 2732 High 1272 724 40 2040 $112,531” Medium 1784 404 176 2368 Low 1448 416 140 2004 LSD.» 488 276 104 428 There were no significant cg att er yi e1 ds di ff er 11 ed significantly based upon grass seeding rates. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more forage than all of the treatments mixed with orchardgrass. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly less legume forage than the medium and the low rates of orchardgrass. There was no significant difference in legume dry matter yield between the medium and the low orchardgrass treatments. The high and the low seeding rates of bromegrass produced significantly less legume dry matter than alfalfa seeded alone. There were no significant differences between yields of alfalfa and those of the medium treatment of bromegrass. Bromegrass in co-culture with alfalfa produced no significant differences in legume dry matter production. All of the mixtures that had ryegrass in co- culture with alfalfa produced significantly less than the alfalfa seeded alone. The medium ryegrass Ming rate produced significantly more legume than either the high or the low ryegrass seeding rates. There was no significant difference in legume dry matter production between the high and the low ryegrass treatments. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume dry matter than any of the timothy treatments. The medium rate of timothy produced significantly more legume than the high timothy seeding rate during second harvest. There were no significant differences between the medium and the low timothy treatments or between the high and the low timothy treatments. The second harvest of the 1991 growing season had significant differences in grass dry matter production based on seeding rate only. The high orchardgrass treatment produced significantly more grass than the medium seeding rate. The medium seeding rate yielded significantly more grass than the low orchardgrass treatment. There were no significant differences between bromegrass seeding rates. The medium treatment of 12 ryegrass produced significantly less grass dry matter than either the and the low ryegrass treatments. There was a significant difference in grass production between the high and the low ryegrass treatments. The high timothy seeding rate yielded significantly more grass than the medium and low rates of timothy. There was no significant difference in grass production between the medium and the low timothy treatments. There were no significant differences among all treatments in the amount of weed dry matter produced in the second harvest of the 1991 growing season. Third Harvest The third harvest of forage in 1991 produced many significant differences based only upon grass seeding rates (Table III). Alfalfa mded alone produced significantly less total dry matter than any of the treatments containing alfalfa orchardgrass in co-culture. The medium seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more total dry matter than the high or the low seeding rates. There were no significant differences in production between the high and the low orchardgrass treatments. The high and the medium seeding rate treatments of bromegrass produced significantly more total dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone. There were no significant differences between alfalfa alone and the low seeding rate of bromegrass or between the high and the medium seeding rates of bromegrass. Alfalfa seeded alone produced significantly less total dry matter than the 13 medium and the low seeding rate mixtures of ryegrass. There were no significant Table III. Third harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the Main Campus Experiment Station. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 1348 0 324 1672 High 952 792 176 1924 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 1876 472 304 2652 Low 1128 480 532 2140 High 1664 328 316 2308 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 1464 348 320 2132 Low 1200 5 80 128 1908 High 1648 176 60 1884 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 1736 128 96 1960 Low 1796 192 196 2184 High 1556 144 176 1880 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 1888 200 68 2156 Low 1572 176 324 2072 LSD.os 240 72 76 252 differences in yield between alfalfa seeded alone and the high ryegrass seeding rate or between the medium and the low ryegrass seeding rate treatments. The medium and the low timothy seeding rates produced significantly more total dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone in the third harvest. There were no significant differences between the alfalfa 16 seeded alone and the high timothy seeding rates. The high, medium, and low timothy seeding rates had no significant differences in production of total yield. In third harvest 1991, significant differences in legume dry matter yield were based on both grass mixture and seeding rates. There were no significant difference in legume production between the orchardgrass and bromegrass treatments. The orchardgrass treatment produced significantly less legume than either the ryegrass or timothy treatments. The bromegrass mixtures produced significantly less legume than the ryegrass mixtures. The were no significant differences in the amount of legume produced between the bromegrass and timothy mixtures. The medium orchardgrass treatment produced significantly more legume dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone treatment, the high, and the low orchardgrass treatments. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume than the low seeding rate of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences in alfalfa grown alone and the high orchardgrass seeding rate or between the high and the low orchardgrass seeding rates. The high bromegrass seeding rates produced significantly more legume dry matter than alfalfa alone. Both the high and the medium seeding rates of bromegrass produced significantly more legume than the low bromegrass treatment. There were no significant differences between alfalfa alone and the medium or low bromegrass seeding rates. The high and medium bromegrass had no significant difference in legume production. All ryegrass treatments produced significantly less legume dry matter than alfalfa alone. There was no significant difference in legume yield between any of the ryegrass treatments. The medium timothy treatment produced more legume dry matter than alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences in legume yield between 15 alfalfa alone and the high timothy seeding rate or between alfalfa alone and the low timothy rate. Grass dry matter yields were significantly different based on grass mixture, seeding rate, and an interaction between the two. The orchardgrass mixture produced significantly more grass dry matter than the bromegrass, ryegrass, or timothy mixtures. The bromegrass mixture produced significantly more grass than the ryegrass or timothy. The were no significant differences in grass yield between the ryegrass and timothy mixtures. Total Seasonal Yield Total 1991 seasonal forage yields at the Crops Teaching and Research Center (CTRC) site averaged 8796.5 kg/ha for the growing season (Table IV). Keeping in mind the hot and dry Table IV. Seasonal averages of DM yield in kg/ha at the CTRC for 1991. conditio Legume Grass Weeds Total ns that Alf/Orchardgrass 4970 1994 1216 8179 w e r e Alf/Bromegrass 5664 2311 1003 8978 experien Alf/Ryegrass 4917 4081 591 9590 mm Alf/Timothy 4688 2807 944 8439 16 the growing season these were very good yields. There were significant differences among grass seeding rates for total 1991 yields(Table V). The orchardgrass treatments were not significantly different in tom] forage production for the growing season. The high and the Table V. Total forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the CTRC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 6776 0 1080 7856 High 3689 4066 1 122 8877 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 4920 2364 951 8235 Low 4494 1546 1709 7749 High 5708 3465 772 9944 Alfalfa plus , Br omegrass Medium 5282 3140 1094 95 16 Low 4892 2639 1064 8596 High 4293 6807 326 1 1426 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 4786 5071 324 10181 Low 3815 4448 635 8897 High 3473 5256 542 9271 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 4501 4526 905 9932 Low 4001 1447 1249 6697 LSD.” 988 992 488 1152 medi um seedi more than the alfalfa seeded alone. The high seeding rate of bromegrass had a significantly higher yield than the low seeding rate of bromegrass. There were no significant differences in total 17 yield between the high and the medium bromegrass or between the medium and the low bromegrass treatments. The high and the medium seeding rates of ryegrass produced significantly more total biomass for the growing season than either the low ryegrass treatment or the alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences in production between the high and the medium ryegrass seeding rates or between the low seeding rate and alfalfa alone. The medium seeding rate of timothy produced significantly more total forage than the low timothy seeding rate and alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences between alfalfa alone and the low timothy seeding rate or between the high and the medium timothy seeding rates. There was no significant difference between the high, medium, or low bromegrass seeding rate. The legume portion of the total seasonal yield for the 1991 growing season had significant differences in production based only on seeding rates at this location Table V). There was significantly more legume produced in the alfalfa seeded alone plots than in any of the alfalfa orchardgrass co-culture treatments. The medium seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more legume dry matter than the high seeding rate of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences in legume production between the high and the low orchardgrass seeding rates or between the medium and the low orchardgrass seeding rates. The alfalfa alone treatment also produced significantly more legume than either the medium or the low bromegrass seeding rates. There were no significant differences in legume production between alfalfa alone and the high seeding rate of bromegrass or between the medium and the low seeding rates of bromegrass. The ryegrass treatments all produwd significantly less legume dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone treatment. 18 There were no significant differences between the high, medium, or low ryegrass seeding rates. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume dry matter than any of the timothy alfalfa treatments. The medium seeding rate of timothy produced significantly more legume than the high seeding rate of timothy. There were no significant differences between the medium and the low timothy mding rates or between the high and the low timothy seeding rates. There were significant differences in total grass production based on both grass used in the mixture as well as grass seeding rate. The ryegrass mixtures produced significantly more grass than either the orchardgrass, bromegrass, or timothy. There were no significant differences between orchardgrass, bromegrass or timothy. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass produced more grass than the medium or the low orchardgrass seeding rate treatments. There was not a significant differences between the medium and the low seeding rate of orchardgrass for grass production. There were no significant differences in grass production among bromegrass seeding rates. The high seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more grass dry matter than the medium and the low ryegrass seeding rates. There was no significant difference in grass production between the medium and the low ryegrass treatments. Both the high and the medium seeding rates of timothy produced more grass than the low timothy ming rate. There was no significant difference in grass yield between the high and the medium timothy seeding rate. There were no significant differences in weed production among all treatments for the total 1991 growing season. 19 In summary, forage yield analysis at the CTRC demonstrated the complexity of analysis for management purposes. These yields were also affected by the hot dry weather during the growing season. From component analysis, 1) weeds were 42% in all mixtures and negatively correlated (r=-.86 P201) to total grass yields (y=1693-.21507x). 2) more forage was produced with grass-legume co-culture than with alfalfa seeded alone. 3) while ryegrass + alfalfa gave the highest total yield for the season it had the lowest alfalfa and weed component. Lake City Experiment Station First Harvest Given the hot and dry growing conditions for the 1991 season at the LCES, forage yields were very good. The total forage yield for the first harvest at the LCES of the 1991 growing season had no significant differences for either grass mixture or seeding rate. There were significant differences in legume yield based on mixture only (Table VI). The orchardgrass mixture produced significantly more legume dry matter than the bromegrass, ryegrass, or timothy. There were no significant differences in legume yield between bromegrass, ryegrass, or timothy. Grass yields for the first harvest had significant differences based on both grass mixture and seeding rate. The orchardgrass mixture produced significantly less grass dry matter than the bromegrass, ryegrass, and timothy. The ryegrass mixture produced significantly more grass dry matter than the bromegrass. There was no significant yield Table VI. First harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. 20 Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2240 0 936 3172 High 3016 260 772 4044 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 2924 340 500 3764 Low 3348 152 632 4128 High 688 21 12 740 3540 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 2016 1508 708 4228 Low 1544 828 556 2928 High 1256 2460 740 4456 Alfalfa plus , Ry e grass Medium 1 124 2240 55 6 3924 Low 1972 2804 1228 6008 High 1484 2792 312 4592 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 2044 1644 480 4172 Low 2232 1436 180 3844 LSD.“ 656 588 300 740 difference between bromegrass and timothy or between ryegrass or timothy. The orchardgrass treatments had no significant differences between seeding rates. The high seeding rate of bromegrass produced significantly more grass dry matter than the medium or the low bromegrass treatments. The medium seeding rate had significantly more grass dry matter than the low bromegrass seeding rate. The low ryegrass treatment produced significantly more grass than the medium ryegrass treatment. There were no significant 21 differences in yield between the high ryegrass treatment and the medium ryegrass treatment or between the high and the low ryegrass treatments. There were no significant differences in weed dry matter during the first harvest of the 1991 growing season at the LCES. Second Harvest The total dry matter yield for the second harvest of the 1991 growing season had significant differences based on grass mixtures and seeding rate (Table VII). The orchardgrass, bromegrass, and timothy mixtures produced significantly more forage than the ryegrass mixture. Alfalfa alone produced significantly less total dry matter than the high, medium or low orchardgrass seeding rates. The medium orchardgrass produced significantly less than the low orchardgrass treatment. The was no significant differences in total yield for second harvest between the high and the low orchardgrass seeding rates. The high, medium, and low seeding rates of bromegrass produced significantly more total yield than alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences in second harvest total yield between the high and the medium bromegrass treatments or between the medium and the low bromegrass treatments. The low seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more total yield than the high seeding rate of ryegrass. There were no significant differences in total yield production between the clear seeded alfalfa, the medium, or the low ryegrass 22 Table VII. Second harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 1940 O 52 1992 High 1251 1328 60 2642 Alfalfa plus , Orchard grass Medium 1810 516 24 23 52 Low 1858 698 108 2667 High 1553 748 24 2304 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 1364 1002 40 2405 Low 1373 1181 92 2657 High 1119 757 40 1916 Alfalfa plus , Ry egrass Medium 1 1 13 883 40 2041 Low 1282 904 32 2221 High 2184 480 16 2680 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 1947 726 88 2767 Low 2200 446 12 2660 LSDns 244 160 20 280 seeding rates. All timothy co—culture treatments produced significantly more total yield for the second harvest than the alfalfa alone treatment. There was no significant differences between the high, medium, or low timothy swding rate. The legume yield for the second harvest of the 1991 season at Lake City had significant differences based on both grass mixture and seeding rate. The timothy mixture produced significantly more legume dry matter than orchardgrass, bromegrass, or ryegrass 23 mixtures. The legume yield in the ryegrass mixture was significantly less than the orchardgrass mixture for the second harvest. There were no significant differences in yield between orchardgrass and bromegrass or between bromegrass and ryegrass for the second harvest. The alfalfa alone treatment had significantly more legume yield than the high seeding rate of orchardgrass for this harvest period. However, there was significantly less legume dry matter in the high orchardgrass seeding rate than in the medium and the low seeding rates of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences in legume yield between the medium and the low orchardgrass seeding rate. The alfalfa alone treatment produced significantly more legume dry matter than any of the bromegrass co-culture seeding rates. There were no significant differences in legume yield between the high, medium, or low bromegrass seeding rates. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume dry matter in the second harvest than any of the ryegrass co-culture treatments. there was no significant difference in legume yield between the high, medium, or low ryegrass seeding rates. The low seeding rate of timothy produced significantly more legume dry matter than the clear seeded alfalfa or the medium seeding rate of timothy. The high seeding rate of timothy also produced significantly more legume than the clear seeded alfalfa. There were no significant differences in legume production between the alfalfa seeded alone and the medium seeding rate of timothy, between the low and the high seeding rates of timothy, or between the high and the medium seeding rates of timothy. Grass yield also had significant differences in yield due to grass mixture, seeding rate, and an interaction between the two during the second harvest at the LCES. The timothy mixture produced significantly less grass than the orchardgrass, bromegrass, or 24 ryegrass. There were no significant differences in yields between orchardgrass, bromegrass, or ryegrass. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more grass than the low or the medium seeding rate of orchardgrass. The grass yield for the low seeding rate was significantly higher than the medium seeding rate. The high bromegrass treatment produced significantly less grass than the medium and the low seeding rates. The low bromegrass seeding rate had significantly higher grass yields than the medium seeding rate of bromegrass. There were no significant differences in grass yield between any of the ryegrass treatments. The grass yield for the medium timothy seeding rate was significantly higher than either the high or the low timothy treatments. The was no significant difference in grass yield between the high and the low timothy seeding rates for the second harvest. There were no significant differences in weed dry matter production for the second harvest in 1991 at the LCES. Third Harvest There were no significant differences in total forage production for the third harvest at the LCES. Legume production had significant differences based on grass mixtures and seeding rates during the third harvest (Table VIII). The timothy mixture produced significantly more legume dry matter than the orchardgrass, bromegrass, or ryegrass mixtures. There was significantly more legume dry matter in the alfalfa alone treatment than in any of the orchardgrass co-culture treatments. The medium and the low orchardgrass seeding rates produced significantly more legume than the high seeding rate 25 Table VIII. Third harvest forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 1320 0 200 1519 High 658 1177 256 2091 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 1038 737 243 2017 Low 913 637 204 1755 High 771 434 335 1540 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 961 392 223 1576 Low 904 255 261 1420 High 623 1041 244 1907 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 960 564 148 1673 Low 702 845 221 1768 High 1323 302 252 1877 Alfalfa plus . Timothy Medium 1207 352 200 1760 Low 1111 325 148 1585 LSD.» 160 100 44 216 of orchardgrass. There was no significant difference in legume dry matter yield between the medium and the low mding rates of orchardgrass during the third harvest. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume dry matter than any of the bromegrass co-culture treatments. The medium rate of bromegrass produced significantly more legume dry matter than the high bromegrass seeding rate. There were no significant differences in legume production between the medium and the low bromegrass seeding rates or between 26 the high and the low bromegrass seeding rates. Legume yield for the alfalfa alone treatment was significantly higher than all of the ryegrass co—culture seeding rates. The medium seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more legume than either the high or the low seeding rate of ryegrass during the third harvest. There was no significant difference in legume production between the high and the low ryegrass treatments. The high seeding rate of timothy and alfalfa alone produced more legume dry matter than the low seeding rate of timothy. There were no significant differences in legume production between the medium and the low timothy seeding rates or between the alfalfa, timothy high, and timothy medium treatments. Grass dry matter yields for the third harvest at the LCES had significant differences based on grass mixtures, seeding rate, and an interaction between the two. The orchardgrass and ryegrass mixtures both produced more grass dry matter than either the bromegrass or timothy. The were no significant differences between orchardgrass and ryegrass or between bromegrass and timothy. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more grass than either the medium or the low orchardgrass seeding rates. There was a significantly higher grass yield in the medium orchardgrass treatment than in the low orchardgrass seeding rate. The high and the medium seeding rates of bromegrass produced significantly more grass than the low bromegrass seeding rate. There were no significant differences between the high and the medium bromegrass treatments. The grass yields for the high ryegrass seeding rates were significantly higher than the medium and the low ryegrass seeding rates. The low ryegrass treatment produced significantly more grass dry matter than the medium ryegrass treatment for the third 27 lmrvest. There were no significant differences in grass dry matter production between the timothy seeding rates. There were no significant differences in weed production during the third harvest of 1991 at the LCES. Total Seasonal Yield There were significant differences in total forage yield due to seeding rates only (Tables IX, X). All treatments with orchardgrass in co-culture with alfalfa produced Table IX. Seasonal average of DM yield in kg/ha for the LCES in 1991. Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa/Orchardgrass 5575 1461 998 8034 Alfalfa/Bromegrass 4163 2115 1043 7321 Alfalfa/Ryegrass 3914 3125 l 1 10 8150 Alfalfa/Timothy 5308 2126 721 8155 significantly more forage than alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences between orchardgrass seeding rates. Clear seeded alfalfa and the low seeding rate of bromegrass produced significantly less total forage than the medium bromegrass seeding rate. There were no significant differences between alfalfa alone and the low seeding rate or between the high and the medium seeding rate. The ryegrass co-culture treatments produced significantly more total forage than clear seeded alfalfa. The low seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more dry matter than either the high or the medium ryegrass 28 seeding rate. There was no significant difference in yield between the medium and the high ryegrass Ming rates. The was significantly less total forage production in clear Table X. Total seasonal forage yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the LCES. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 5499 0 l 185 6684 High 4926 2764 1089 8779 Alfalf l creh:r3g:ss Medium 5757 1594 773 8124 Low 61 17 1486 946 8549 High 2995 3296 1094 7385 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 4340 2901 970 8211 Low 3818 2264 921 7003 High 3002 4259 1020 8281 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 3202 3687 750 7639 Low 3955 4554 1486 9995 High 4992 3575 581 9148 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 5200 2722 775 8697 Low 5542 2205 372 8089 LSD.os 792 592 340 944 seeded alfalfa than in the timothy alfalfa co-culture treatments. The high seeding rate of timothy produced significantly more than the low seeding rate of timothy. There was no 29 significant difference between the high and the medium seeding rates of timothy or between the medium and the low timothy seeding rate. There was a significant difference in legume yield for the 1991 growing season based on grass mixture and seeding rate. The timothy and orchardgrass mixtures produced significantly more legume than the bromegrass or ryegrass mixture for the total growing season. There was no significant difference in legume yield between timothy and orchardgrass or between bromegrass or ryegrass. The medium and the low mding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more legume than the high seeding rate of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences between the medium seeding rate of orchardgrass, the low seeding rate of orchardgrass, or alfalfa alone or between the high seeding rate of orchardgrass and alfalfa alone. Alfalfa alone produced significantly more legume during the 1991 growing season then any of the bromegrass/alfalfa co~culture seeding rates. There was significantly less legume produced in the high bromegrass seeding rate treatment than in either the medium or low seeding rate treatments. There were no significant differences in legume yield between the medium and the low seeding rate of bromegrass. Clear seeded alfalfa produced significantly more legume than any of the ryegrass/alfalfa co—culture treatments. The high seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly legume than the low seeding rate of ryegrass. There were no significant differences between the high and medium seeding rates of ryegrass or between the medium and the low seeding rates of ryegrass. There were no significant differences between clear seeded alfalfa and any of the timothy/alfalfa seeding rates. 30 Grass yields for the 1991 growing season were significantly different based on both seeding rate and grass mixtures. There was significantly more ryegrass production than orchardgrass, bromegrass, or timothy. The orchardgrass treatment yields for grass were significantly less than bromegrass and timothy. There was no significant difference in grass yield between bromegrass and timothy. The high seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more grass than the medium and the low ming rates. There was no significant difference between the medium and the low treatments. The bromegrass high and medium treatments produced significantly more grass dry matter than the low treatment. There was no significant difference in total seasonal grass yield between the high and the medium seeding rates. The grass yields the low ryegrass treatment were significantly more than the medium ryegrass treatment. There were no significant differences between the high and the medium treatments or between the high and the low treatments of ryegrass. The high seeding rate of timothy produced significantly more grass dry matter than the medium and the low seeding rates. There was no significant difference in grass yield between the medium and the low seeding rate. There was no significant difference in weed production for the 1991 growing season and no significant correlation to grasszwwd yields. In summary, forage yield analysis at the LCES also demonstrated the complexity of analysis for management purposes. Taking into consideration the hot and dry growing season in 1991, the following conclusions can be drawn from the LCES: 1) Wwds were (36% of DM) present in all mixtures, and 2) There was more (18%) total forage production in mixtures that in pure seeded alfalfa. 31 Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center First Harvest The conditions at the SWMREC were also very hot and dry during the 1991 growing season. The first harvest during the 1991 growing season had significant Table XI. First harvest yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2084 0 368 2452 High 1876 356 356 2588 31:31:13; Medium 1596 400 188 2184 Low 1572 308 452 2332 High 1660 860 304 2820 Alfalfa plus Bromegrass Medium 2020 448 220 2688 Low 2288 724 360 3372 High 1356 688 348 2392 $3323“ Medium 1328 456 340 2004 Low 544 532 304 1380 High 2276 480 392 3148 $3351“ Medium 2384 288 156 2800 Low 2064 520 560 3144 Lsnu 324 176 208 380 32 differences in yield due to mixtures. The average production of all of the seeding rates of bromegrass and timothy was significantly higher than alfalfa alone (Table XI). Orchardgrass was not significantly different in forage production than alfalfa seeded alone. However ryegrass mixtures had significantly lower yields than alfalfa alone. The low seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly less than either the ryegrass medium or high seeding rate during first harvest 1991. The bromegrass seeded at the high and medium seeding rates produced significantly less total forage during first harvest than bromegrass at the low seeding rate. The alfalfa portion of the sward produced significant differences in yield based on mixtures during the first harvest. The alfalfa alone plots produced more legume than did the average of the orchardgrass and ryegrass plots. There were no statistical differences in the legume production of the alfalfa alone plot and the average of the bromegrass and timothy plots. Timothy and orchardgrass had no statistical difference in yield based on the different seeding rates. The low seeding rate of ryegrass produced less legume than either of the high or the medium seeding rate which were not significantly difference. Bromegrass medium and low seeding rates had a statistically higher legume yield than did the bromegrass high seeding rate. There were no significant differences in legume production between the medium and low bromegrass rates. The grass portions of the sward varied statistically based on the seeding rates. The medium seeding rate of timothy yielded significantly less than either the high or the low timothy seeding rates. There was statistically no difference in grass production between the high and low timothy seeding rates. The high seeding rate of ryegrass produced 33 significantly more grass than the medium and the low rates. Bromegrass showed the same trend as timothy with the medium rate producing less grass than both the high and the low rate. Orchard grass showed no significant difference in grass yield due to seeding rate. Second Harvest The total forage production for the second harvest of the 1991 (Table XII) growing season had statistical differences due to mixtures. The average production for the ryegrass plots was significantly less then all of the other averages including alfalfa alone. There were no significant differences in total forage production due to grass seeding rates during this harvest. The legume part of the sward showed significant differences due to seeding mixtures. The average of the legume portion of the alfalfa-orchardgrass and alfalfa- ryegrass seedings at all rates were significantly less than alfalfa alone. The ryegrass mixture produced less alfalfa than all of the other grass legume mixtures. There were no significant differences in alfalfa production due to grass seeding rates. Grass production differed significantly due to both mixtures and seeding rates. The average grass production in the timothy plots was significantly less than the grass produced in all of the other mixtures. The other three grasses had no statistical difference in yield for the second harvest. The timothy plots showed no statistical difference in grass yield based on seeding rate. The low seeding rate ryegrass plot yielded significantly less grass than the high and medium seeding rate. There were no differences in grass yield between 34 Table XII. Second harvest yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2800 0 204 3004 High 2324 152 420 2896 Alfalf i cmhaI-gguriss Medium 2352 40 476 2868 Low 2600 172 368 3140 High 31 12 264 1 16 3492 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 2788 140 528 3456 Low 2912 36 180 3124 High 1900 160 72 2136 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 2196 164 248 2612 Low 1716 60 44 1820 High 2696 40 92 2824 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 2784 44 156 2984 Low 2860 28 144 3032 LSD.» 360 48 76 416 these two seeding rates. The bromegrass seeding rates showed statistical differences among all three seeding rates. Grass yield for bromegrass seeded at the low rate was less than the grass yield at the medium rate which was less than the grass yield at the high seeding rate. The orchardgrass medium seeding rate produced significantly less grass than either the orchardgrass high or orchardgrass low seeding rates. 35 Third Harvest The third and final harvest of the 1991 season exhibited no significant differences in total yield due to either mixtures or seeding rate (Table XIII). The amount of legume Table XIII. Third harvest yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 2096 0 472 2568 High 1712 1 1 12 208 3036 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 1800 628 552 2980 Low 2528 1016 484 2952 High 1852 124 592 2572 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 1756 140 16 1912 Low 1716 320 1008 3044 High 988 848 308 2144 Alfalfa plus , Ryegrass Medium 1472 64 952 2488 Low 884 524 680 2088 High 1776 72 368 2216 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 2252 224 228 2708 Low 1904 128 548 2580 LSD.os 364 180 160 496 36 produced for this harvest varied significantly due to both mixture and seeding rate. The ryegrass mixture produced significantly less legume than all of the other mixtures. The medium seeding rate for timothy produced significantly more legume than the high or the low timothy seeding rates. Alfalfa alone did not yield more than the timothy medium rate mixture, but alfalfa alone produced yields with significantly more total legume than the timothy high and low seeding rate mixtures. All of the ryegrass seeding rates produced significantly less alfalfa than the alfalfa alone plots. The ryegrass medium seeding rate produced significantly more legume than either the low or the high seeding rate. The bromegrass plots had no significant difference in legume production than alfalfa alone due to mding rate. The orchardgrass high and low mding rates both produced significantly less legume than the alfalfa alone plots for the third harvest. The medium orchardgrass seeding rate produced more legume than did the low orchardgrass ming rate. The grass yields for the third harvest also varied significantly for both mixtures and seeding rates. The orchardgrass plots produced more grass than the ryegrass plots which in turn were more than the grass yields of the bromegrass and timothy plots which were not significantly different. The medium timothy seeding rate produced significantly more grass than the timothy high seeding rate. The low seeding rate was not different for either the high or the low seeding rate. The high seeding rate ryegrass plots produced significantly more grass for the third harvest than the low ryegrass seeding rate which in turn produced more grass than the medium ryegrass rate. The low seeding rate of bromegrass produced significantly more grass than both the high and the medium rate. There were no significant differences in grass yield between the high bromegrass ming 37 rates and the medium bromegrass seeding rates. Both of the low and the high orchardgrass seeding rates produced significantly more grass than the medium seeding rate of orchardgrass. This was the only harvest at this location in which wwd yields varied significantly, due to both mixtures and seeding rates. The ryegrass mixture produced significantly more weeds than the other mixtures. The orchardgrass high seeding rate produced significantly less weeds than the two lesser seeding rates which were not significantly different. The weeds in the bromegrass medium seeding rate was less than the bromegrass high seeding rate which was significantly less than the low bromegrass seeding rate. The ryegrass high seeding rate produced significantly less weeds than the low ryegrass seeding rate which contained less weeds than the ryegrass medium seeding rate. The low timothy seeding rate produced a greater volume of weeds than either the high or the medium timothy seeding rates . Total Seasonal Yield There were significant differences in total seasonal yield based only on grass mixtures (Table XIV). There was more total forage produced in the orchardgrass, bromegrass, and timothy mixtures than in the ryegrass mixture. The legume portion of the total seasonal yield had significant differences based on grass mixture, seeding rate, and an interaction (Table XV). Ochardgrass, bromegrass, and timothy mixtures all produced significantly more legume for the total season than the 38 ryegrass mixture. The bromegrass and timothy mixtures were also higher yielding than Table XIV. Seasonal averages of DM yield in kg/ha at the SWMREC for 1991. Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa/Orchardgrass 5761 1395 1 169 8325 Alfalfa/Bromegrass 6698 1018 1 108 8824 Alfalfa/Ryegrass 4130 1 167 1058 6355 Alfalfa/Timothy 6991 605 882 8478 the orchardgrass mixture. There were no significant differences in total legume production between the bromegrass and the timothy mixtures. Alfalfa seeded alone produced significantly more legume than any of the alfalfa orchardgrass mixes. There were no significant differences in legume production between the high, medium, or low orchardgrass seeding rates. There were no significant differences in total legume production between alfalfa seeded alone and any of the bromegrass seeding rates. Alfalfa seeded alone had significantly higher yields than all three of the ryegrass seeding rates. The medium seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more legume than either the high or the low seeding rates of ryegrass. The high seeding rate of ryegrass produced more legume dry matter than the low seeding rate of ryegrass. There was more alfalfa dry matter produced in the medium seeding rate of timothy than in the high ming rate of timothy. There were no significant differences in total seasonal legume production between alfalfa seeded alone, the medium or the low timothy seeding rates. 39 The grass segment of the total seasonal yield had significant differences based on both grass mixture and seeding rate. The orchardgrass mixture produced significantly Table XV. Total Forage Yields(DM in kg/ha) for grass-legume seeding rate studies at the SWMREC. 1991. Seeding Grass COMPONENTS OF YIELD Mixtures Seeding Rate Legume Grass Weeds Total Alfalfa None 6981 0 1042 8023 High 5913 1620 986 8519 Alfalfa plus , Orchardgrass Medium 5746 1070 1215 8031 Low 5624 1495 1305 8424 High 6621 1250 1012 8883 Alfalfa plus , Bromegrass Medium 6562 726 764 8052 Low 691 l 1077 1548 9536 High 4245 1698 730 6673 Alfalfa plus , 2 2 Ryegrass Medium 4996 684 142 710 Low 3148 1117 1024 5289 High 6746 589 851 8186 Alfalfa plus , Timothy Medium 7398 554 539 8490 Low 6829 674 1255 8758 lSD.os 628 288 312 784 more total grass than the timothy, bromegrass, or ryegrass. Bromegrass and ryegrass produced significantly more grass than the timothy mixture. There were no significant 40 differences between the bromegrass and ryegrass mixture or between the orchardgrass and ryegrass mixtures. The high and the low seeding rate of orchardgrass produced significantly more grass than the medium mding rate of orchardgrass. There were no significant differences between the high and the low ming rates of orchardgrass. The medium seeding rate of bromegrass had significantly higher yields than the high and the low seeding rates of bromegrass. There were no significant differences between the high and the low seeding rates of bromegrass. The high seeding rate of ryegrass produced significantly more grass for the total season than the medium or the low ryegrass treatments. The low ryegrass seeding rate had a significantly higher grass yield than the medium ryegrass seeding rate. There were no significant differences between the timothy seeding rate treatments. There were also no significant differences in weed yields for the total 1991 growing season. In summary while the individual dynamics within a harvest were different in legume, grass, and weed component, each produced less total forage for the season than alfalfa seeded alone. Orchardgrass, bromegrass, and timothy were less aggressive than the extremes of ryegrass at the SWMREC. Ryegrass seeded at 3 rates (14, 28, and 56 seeds/s ft.) changed the dynamics of the binary forage crop indicating that in the SWMREC environments, which included a hot and dry growing season in 1991, mixtures of alfalfa plus bromegrass, orchardgrass, or timothy have a wide range of acceptable seeding rates. CONCLUSIONS The data from this research shows that seeding rate recommendations vary with climate and soil type. The same mixtures were planted a three different locations in Michigan with three different climates. Each location had different results. At some locations alfalfa seeded alone produced more total dry matter than the co—culture mixtures. At other sites the mixtures produced more total dry matter than the alfalfa seeded alone. A correlation was run between seeding rates and the amount of weeds in the study. At one site weeds were found to be negatively correlated to seeding rate. Further research that could be done would include looking at the results and temperatures and rainfall. Also, plots like these could be grazed to see what differences would occur with grazing as opposed to harvesting for hay. These data were taken during the 1991 growing season. This season was extremely hot and dry at all three locations. More data would need to be taken over several years to see which seeding rates would be best in varying temperatures and rainfall amounts as well as to see which would be most productive and persistent. 41 LIST OF REFERENCES Ahlgren, GH. 1956. Forage Crops. McGraw-Hill. 307-308. Balasko, JA, GW Evers, and RW Duell. 1995. Bluegrasses, Ryegrasses, and Bentgrasses. In RF Barnes, DA Miller, and CJ Nelson Forages Volume I An introduction to grassland Agriculture. Iowa. 367. Casler, MD. 1988. Performance of Orchardgrass, Smooth Bromegrass, and Ryegrass in Binary Mixtures with Alfalfa. Agron. J. 80(3):509-514. Casler, MD, and IT Carlson. 1995. Smooth Bromegrass. In RF Barnes, DA Miller, and CJ Nelson Forages Volume I An introduction to grassland Agriculture. Iowa. 318. Casler, MD, and PN Drolsom. 1984. Yield Testing Cool-season Forage Grasses in Pure Stands vs. Binary Mixtures with Alfalfa. Crop Sci. 24:453-456. Christie, BR, and AR McElroy. 1995. Orchardgrass. In RF Barnes, DA Miller, and CJ Nelson Forages Volume I An introduction to grassland Agriculture. Iowa. 318. Drolsom PN, and D Smith. 1976. Adapting Species for Forage Mixtures. 223-232. In RI Papendick et al (ed) Multiple Cropping. ASA, Madison, WI. Marten, GC, DR Buxton, and RF Barnes. 1988. Feeding Value (forage Quality). In a Hanson, DK Barnes, and R Hill, Jr. (Eds), Alfalfa and Alfalfa Improvement, Am. Soc. Agron. Monogr. 29. Madison, Wis., 463-91. McElroy, AR, and HT Kunelius. 1995. Timothy. In RF Barnes, DA Miller, and CJ Nelson Forages Volume I An introduction to grassland Agriculture. Iowa. 306. Michigan Agriculture Statistics. 1994. Rhodes, 1. 1969. The Yield, Canopy Structure and Light interception of Two Ryegrass Varieties in Mixed Culture and Monoculture. J. Br. Grassl. Soc. 24:123-127. 42 43 Smith, D, 1968. The Establishment and Management of Alfalfa. Wisconsin Agric. Exp. Bull. 542. Smith, D, R] Bula, and RP Walgenbach. 1986. Forage Management. Kendall/Hunt, Dubugue, IA van den Berg, JP. 1968. An Analysis of Yield of Grasses in Mixed and Pure Stands. Versl. Landbouwkd. Onderz. 714. Weiss, MG, and SK Mukerji. 1950. Effect of Planting Method and Nitrogen Fertilization on Relative Performance of Orchardgrass Strains. Agron. J. 42:555-559. Wheeler, WA. 1950. Forage and Pasture Crops. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc. 483, 508-9, 539. Wilsie, CP. 1949. Evaluation of Grass-Legume Associations, with Emphasis on Yields of Bromegrass Varieties. Agron. J. 41;412-420. nICHIan STATE UNIV. Lraecares illllWIHIWNWWWIIWill"WWW!ll 31293014®00362