Publication Date
1989
Description
Past recommendations for lucernc autumn cutting management in the Northern USA have suggested a 'critical period' of 4-6 weeks growth prior to the first killing frost as necessary for long-term lucerne survival. Research had indicated that this period of growth prior to frost enabled plants to build up carbohydrate reserves to carry them through winter and provide energy for regrowth in spring (Smith, 1972). If an autumn cut was desired, it was recommended it should be taken after the killing frost so that stand vigor and longevity is maintained. Inappropriate management may reduce plant vigor, and increase susceptibility to Fusarium crown and root rot, both accentuating winter injury and stand loss (Leath and Kendall, 1978). Sheaffer et al. (1986a) considered the concept of a 'critical autumn rest period' as too simplistic because it did not take into account differences due to location, environment, and the use of varieties with differing winterhardiness. Stringer et al. (1982) in Pennylvania examined different fall cutting dates with an emphasis on days of regrowth following the final cut of summer rather than days of growth prior to killing frost. Two experiments were conducted in Massachusetts to examine a new recommendation that so long as 45 to 50 days regrowth had occurred since the last summer harvest, an autumn harvest of lucerne could be safely taken anytime prior to a killing frost.
Citation
Herbert, S J.; Dempsey, M; Cooley, D; and Litchfield, G V., "Autumn Management of Lucerne" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 28.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session4b/28
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Autumn Management of Lucerne
Past recommendations for lucernc autumn cutting management in the Northern USA have suggested a 'critical period' of 4-6 weeks growth prior to the first killing frost as necessary for long-term lucerne survival. Research had indicated that this period of growth prior to frost enabled plants to build up carbohydrate reserves to carry them through winter and provide energy for regrowth in spring (Smith, 1972). If an autumn cut was desired, it was recommended it should be taken after the killing frost so that stand vigor and longevity is maintained. Inappropriate management may reduce plant vigor, and increase susceptibility to Fusarium crown and root rot, both accentuating winter injury and stand loss (Leath and Kendall, 1978). Sheaffer et al. (1986a) considered the concept of a 'critical autumn rest period' as too simplistic because it did not take into account differences due to location, environment, and the use of varieties with differing winterhardiness. Stringer et al. (1982) in Pennylvania examined different fall cutting dates with an emphasis on days of regrowth following the final cut of summer rather than days of growth prior to killing frost. Two experiments were conducted in Massachusetts to examine a new recommendation that so long as 45 to 50 days regrowth had occurred since the last summer harvest, an autumn harvest of lucerne could be safely taken anytime prior to a killing frost.
