Publication Date
1997
Description
The presence and amount of insulating winter snow cover are key factors in determining the potential of winter injury of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) In the Midwestern U.S. Four alfalfa varieties of varying fall dormancy ratings were planted in the summers of 1993 and 1994. Snow depths above the crop plots were kept constant at depths of 0, 10, and 20 cm during the subsequent winters with framed mesh covers. Winterkill percentages during the two seasons varied dramatically from 0-100% and were significantly higher for the 0 cm treatment than for 10 or 20 cm treatments. Nitro, a nondormant variety, resulted in almost complete winter-kill while Vernal, a very dormant variety exhibited little or no injury over the two-year test period. In general, first cut alfalfa yields were lower for treatments which had higher winter injury ratings.
Citation
Leep, R H., "Winterkill Potential of Alfalfa Under Different Snow Depths" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 12.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session13/12
Included in
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Winterkill Potential of Alfalfa Under Different Snow Depths
The presence and amount of insulating winter snow cover are key factors in determining the potential of winter injury of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) In the Midwestern U.S. Four alfalfa varieties of varying fall dormancy ratings were planted in the summers of 1993 and 1994. Snow depths above the crop plots were kept constant at depths of 0, 10, and 20 cm during the subsequent winters with framed mesh covers. Winterkill percentages during the two seasons varied dramatically from 0-100% and were significantly higher for the 0 cm treatment than for 10 or 20 cm treatments. Nitro, a nondormant variety, resulted in almost complete winter-kill while Vernal, a very dormant variety exhibited little or no injury over the two-year test period. In general, first cut alfalfa yields were lower for treatments which had higher winter injury ratings.
