Presenter Information

M Collins, University of Kentucky

Publication Date

1993

Location

New Zealand

Description

Two experiments compared alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover(Trifolium pratense L.) genotypes for supplying N to an ensuing maize (Zea mays L.) crop. A non-fixing alfalfa genotype, which nodulates but fixes no N, served as a control crop. Nitrogen-fertilised maize received 0, 7S, ISO or 22S kg/ha of N annually as NH4NO3• Maize was seeded into I-year-old legume stands killed by N• (phosphono-methyl) glycine isopropylamine. Non-fixing alfalfa yielded 6 t/ha of forage in the first year compared with 9 t/ha or more for normal cultivars. Two-year mean maize grain yields after Dart alfalfa were 9.2 t/ha and those after non-fixing alfalfa were S.4 t/ha compared with grain yields of S.0, 6.8, 8.3 and 8.2 t/ha for maize receiving 0, 7S, ISO or 225 kg/ha of N, respectively. Results of this experiment indicate that dense stands of alfalfa or red clover provide sufficient N to maximise grain and whole-plant maize productivity.

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Yields and Nitrogen Contents of Maize Receiving Fertilizer Nitrogen or After Alfalfa and Red Clover

New Zealand

Two experiments compared alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover(Trifolium pratense L.) genotypes for supplying N to an ensuing maize (Zea mays L.) crop. A non-fixing alfalfa genotype, which nodulates but fixes no N, served as a control crop. Nitrogen-fertilised maize received 0, 7S, ISO or 22S kg/ha of N annually as NH4NO3• Maize was seeded into I-year-old legume stands killed by N• (phosphono-methyl) glycine isopropylamine. Non-fixing alfalfa yielded 6 t/ha of forage in the first year compared with 9 t/ha or more for normal cultivars. Two-year mean maize grain yields after Dart alfalfa were 9.2 t/ha and those after non-fixing alfalfa were S.4 t/ha compared with grain yields of S.0, 6.8, 8.3 and 8.2 t/ha for maize receiving 0, 7S, ISO or 225 kg/ha of N, respectively. Results of this experiment indicate that dense stands of alfalfa or red clover provide sufficient N to maximise grain and whole-plant maize productivity.