Comparison Of Conventional, Foundation, And Roundup Ready Alfalfa Varieties Under Dryland Conditions In Northeast Montana.
Applied Research
Wendy Becker
Agent
Montana State University
Culbertson
Abstract
Alfalfa is Montana's greatest economic crop at 6.8 billion dollars. Alfalfa is grown every 5 years, and technology changes drastically during that time. Not much research has been done in the last 30 years on alfalfa breeding for Foundation seed, but the private industry has done research on Conventional and Roundup Ready varieties. A research trial was conducted for the past two years at the Froid Research Center to compare Foundation, Convention, and Roundup Ready varieties that are available to producers in Northeast Montana. Alfalfa seed was obtained using seven different varieties and planted in a 5x10 ft plot in triplicate randomized design in year one. Data collection began in year two and three for the first cutting and after-freeze for the second cutting. Year one data suggest that Alfafour Rancher had the highest yield (p=Value <0.05), DG4210 had the greatest CP but was not statistically significant than most others other than Alfafour Rancher. The DG417RR had the highest TDN for first cutting and was significant (p=Value <0.05) for some of the other varieties but not all. Once again in the second cutting, similar results were for realized for Yield and CP, however TDN had no differences. For Year 2, Alfafour Rancher had the highest yield (p=Value <0.05), but were similar with a few of the varieties (Ladak, DG410, Cooper), while both CP and TDN showed no differences. In the 2nd cutting of Year 2 Alfafour Rancher did have significance (p=Value <0.05) from the other varieties, but for CP and TDN, there were no differences. To conclude, for dryland alfalfa, the newer varieties were the just as good and sometimes better because they were greater for yield, CP, and TDN. The foundation seeds still held strong numbers compared to newer varieties.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Wendy Becker, Hayes Goosey, Felixe Becker
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Becker, W. Agent, Montana State University, Montana, 59218
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Goosey, H. Forage Extention Specialist, Montana State University, Montana, 59717
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Becker, F. Student technician, Culbertson FFA, Montana, 59218