Table 2. Dry matter yield and nutritive value for alfalfa grown in 2016 and 2017 as determined by variety and harvest schedule treatment
Treatment | DM (Mg ha−1) | CP (g kg−1) | ADF (g kg−1) | NDF (g kg−1) | RFV |
2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 |
Variety |
Gunner | 11.4 | 9.7 | 148 | 160 | 382 | 363 | 473a | 462a | 118 | 124 |
Hi-Gest 360 | 10.8 | 9.5 | 157 | 172 | 371 | 354 | 461b | 446b | 123 | 127 |
LSD | 0.9 | 1.7 | 24 | 29 | 12 | 16 | 12 | 13 | 5 | 4 |
Harvest schedule |
1. HQ + HQ + MQ + HY | 11.6a | 10.7a | 151 | 173 | 361b | 358 | 445b | 444b | 129a | 125ab |
2. HQ + HY + MQ + HY | 11.7a | 10.1ab | 153 | 166 | 364b | 363 | 448b | 460a | 128a | 128a |
3. MQ + HQ + MQ + HY | 10.8b | 9.7bc | 146 | 166 | 394a | 358 | 482a | 454ab | 113d | 122b |
4. MQ + HY + MQ + HY | 11.1ab | 8.5d | 154 | 163 | 395a | 357 | 481a | 454ab | 113cd | 126ab |
5. HY + HQ + MQ + HY | 10.5b | 9.0cd | 155 | 166 | 373b | 359 | 469a | 457ab | 120b | 123ab |
6. HY + HY + MQ + HY | 11.0ab | 9.4bcd | 155 | 160 | 372b | 356 | 475a | 455ab | 118bc | 129a |
LSD | 0.8 | 0.9 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 7 | 6 |
Means significantly different at the 95% level of confidence.
DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; RFV, relative feed value; LSD, least significant difference; HQ, high quality; HY, high yield; MQ, medium quality.