The Effect of Cutting Stages on Forage Yield in Different Mixture Applications of Alfalfa and Cool Climate Grasses

Abstract

This study was carried out in 2017 and 2018 to determine the effects of pure and mixed plantings of some perennial cool-season grasses species and alfalfa on hay yield in irrigated conditions of Şanlıurfa province. The trial was established in the Research Area of the Harran University Eyyubiye Campus according to the randomized block design with three replications. A total of 16 different applications were evaluated in the study, and these applications included pure plantings of alfalfa (Medicago sativa), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and twelve different mixture applications created by mixing these species in different proportions. According to the two-year averages, significant differences were observed among the treatments. In terms of the characteristics examined, the highest green forage yield was obtained from the first cutting in the second year (1675.54 kg/da), the highest dry forage yield was obtained from the first cutting in the second year (459.99 kg/da), the highest dry matter content was obtained from the third cutting in the first year (90.32%), and the highest dry matter yield was obtained from the first cutting in the second year (406.17 kg/da). The higher yields of green grass yield, dry grass yield, and dry matter in the second year of the facility can be attributed to the increased adaptability of the plants included in the mixture along with alfalfa.