Interseeding Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) into Spring Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in the Upper Snake River Valley.

Barley is often planted as a companion crop with alfalfa to suppress weeds and provide forage earlier than if alfalfa were planted alone. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects on alfalfa when the barley is allowed to mature and be harvested for grain. The objectives of the study are to 1) determine the effect of interseeding alfalfa on barley grain yield and quality; 2) evaluate weed competition in pure stands of barley and in the barley/alfalfa intercrop; 3) determine the effect of increasing nitrogen rate (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha^-1) on alfalfa and barley yields; and 4) evaluate alfalfa stand density and relative feed value of an alfalfa hay crop with barley residue.