Alfafa forage yield and weed control in response to plastic flim mulch in temperate environment

Abstract

Alfalfa or Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is an important forage legume having a potential to improve the dairy feeding system in the country. However, this legume crop is susceptible to weed infestation and farmers are facing difficulty in controlling weeds as it involves intensive labor for weed management. Therefore, a field trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of plastic flim mulch on morphological traits and weed control in Lucerne fodder crop from March to September, 2020. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three treatments and four replications. The treatment consisted of black plastic mulch and two non-mulch treatments (line sowing and broadcast). The variables evaluated were plant height, forage biomass, dry matter yield, forage quality and weed control. The results showed that the Lucerne plants that were mulched using plastic flim produced significantly higher forage biomass, dry mater yield and required minimum weeding than those without plastic mulch. Since the plastic flim mulching technology has positive effect on forage yield and weed control, it has the potential to be promoted for Lucerne production especially for processing Lucerne meal (dried crumbs and powder) as protein source for dairy feed production in the country.