Productivity and coverage of alfalfa cultivars (Medicago sativa L.) of different degrees of winter rest under two cutting frequencies

Abstract

​The objective of this work was to evaluate the forage production and the percentage of coverage of 3 alfalfa crops with different degrees of winter rest (GRI), sometimes at two cutting frequencies for a year. Three cultivars (GR6-Verzy), (GR9-Mecha) and (GR10-Ruano) were used. The experimental design was divided plots with four repetitions. Two treatments defined by the cutting intervals were established: T1: 25 days and T2: 35 days. These were specified for the spring, summer and fall seasons. In winter the interval was 45 and 55 days in T1 and T2, respectively. The variables evaluated were: forage yield per cut, leaf/stem ratio (H/T), ratio (leaf+stem)/ root (H+T)/R and the percentage of coverage under the proposed frequencies. Annual dry matter (DM) production for T1 increased. The productivity values showed no significant differences between cultivars and between treatments. Significant differe n ces were found between treatments for the H/T ratio. Interaction between cultivars and treat m ents in pasture cover was observed.