Evaluation of Sowing Systems in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

Numerous attributes define alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as an indispensable forage species for Argentine dairy production. The sowing date is the starting point for achieving optimal yield and high-quality forage. Two no-till sowing systems were evaluated at a dairy farm in the Salado River Basin, Buenos Aires province. The system termed "single sowing" (SS) consisted of planting the pasture in parallel rows spaced 21 cm apart. The system termed "double-cross sowing" (SD) applied half the seed and fertilizer rate in the first pass of the seeder, with the remaining inputs applied in a second pass perpendicular to the first. The evaluated variables were: dry matter yield, plant density, forage quality, and cost-benefit ratio. The double-cross sowing system had a significant effect on dry matter production per hectare. Furthermore, this technology resulted in a higher plant density per unit area. However, the forage quality obtained in both systems showed no significant differences for the evaluated parameters. This condition remained consistent across all harvests conducted during the trial. The economic benefit provided by SD outweighed its implementation costs. The productive and economic advantages offered by this technology are of high relevance when sowing this species.