Persistence of Alfalfa Sod Seeded in Bermudagrass Utilized for Hay Versus Stocking.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) production limitations (in Texas?) are attributable to acidic soils, wet conditions and the persistence of warm season perennial grasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). A three-year study was completed in Overton, Texas to evaluate ‘Alfagraze’ alfalfa and ‘Coastal’ bermudagrass dry matter (DM) production when alfalfa was sod seeded into bermudagrass and rotationally grazed. Alfalfa was planted at three row spacings (25, 51 and 76 cm) each in four replicate pastures. In the following June, July and August, all pastures (n=12) were rotationally grazed to evaluate forage DM production and sustainability. During the first three grazing periods (April 1 to May 31), alfalfa was the predominant forage within each row spacing. However, thereafter (June 30 to Oct 3) bermudagrass was the dominant pasture forage. Alfagraze does not compete well when interseeded into a Coastal bermudagrass stand and rotationally grazed. In a harvesting simulation of alfalfa sod seeded in bermudagrass, alfalfa was able to persist for at least five documented years. ‘Alfagraze’ alfalfa was interseeded (October 1990) into a stand of Coastal bermudagrass at four row spacings (23, 46, 69 and 92 cm) to determine the feasibility of growing the two forages simultaneously. Widening the row spacing of alfalfa decreased yield of alfalfa and increased bermudagrass yield. Averaged over all row spacings, alfalfa comprised 97.5% of the total forage production in 1993. Row spacing had no effect on total forage production in any year. Results indicated that alfalfa competed well with Coastal bermudagrass when managed for harvesting. Alfalfa was not persistent when sod seeded into bermudagrass under stocking primarily due to competition, moisture and animal selectivity.