Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Growth, Forage Yield and Quality, and Soil Properties Under Three Broiler Litter Regimes: Short-Term Effects.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), the most promising forage legume grown in Kentucky supports the local beef, dairy, and horse industries. Alfalfa typically meets its N requirement through symbiotic N₂ fixation, but will preferentially utilize mineral N if it is available. Application of manure to alfalfa decreases symbiotic N₂ fixation (Peterson and Russell 1991) and result in more efficient use of manure N. Alfalfa’s ability to recycle manure nutrients and to extract nutrients from a significant depths provides economic and environmental justification for using manure on alfalfa fields (Schmitt et al., 1991). The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of three broiler litter amendment at 100, 50, and 25% N rate and control treatment with recommended P and K provided through inorganic fertilizer on alfalfa forage yield, quality, and soil nutrient concentrations.