A22-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 8, 1987
By Dr. John E. Baylor
Director of Market Development
Beachley-Hardy Seed Company
DR, JOHN E. BAYLOR
Director Market Development
Beacbley-Hardy Seed Co.
SEEDING ALFALFA
IN AUGUST
Seeding alfalfa this month?
August is considered by many as
the ideal time to seed alfalfa, either
on a prepared seedbed or by no
tilling into a small grain stubble.
And while over the years, because
of changes in rotations, more far
mers have switched to seeding in
the spring, August continues to be
a good time to establish this valu
able crop.
There are several advantages for
seeding at this time of year - gener
ally fewer insect problems and
often times weeds are less of a fac
tor. Moisture is usually satisfac
tory in August and September for
successful establishment. This
year, depending on where you
farm, moisture may or may not be
a problem.
NO-TILL SEEDINGS
IN STUBBLE
Many growers have found that
no-tilling alfalfa into a small grain
stubble in August is one of the
most fool proof seeding techniques
for this time of year. Moisture,
either too much or too little, is less
of a limiting factor in this type of
seeding.
But there are several rules you
should follow to assure a success-
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ful no-till establishment. These
include:
1. Competition from other
plants must be eliminated or
minimized.
2. Heavy thatch and plant
growth tall enough to shade the
soil surface must be removed.
3. You must protect the see
dlings from insects, especially if
you seed in sod.
4. The soil fertility must be
medium to high with pH above 6.5.
5. Seeding date is not as critical
with a no-dll compared with a con
ventional seeding. Never-the-less,
except for seedings made in the
southernmost part of our area,
seedings should be made before
September 1.
CONVENTIONAL
SEEDINGS
If you’re seeding alfalfa this
month on a prepared seedbed a
firm Seedbed is a must. If the
seedbed is not firm, moisture may
be critical and tender alfalfa roots
will grow into air pockets between
soil particles and die. That firm,
fine and mellow seedbed is also
essential to permit uniform shal
low coverage of seed.
HOW ABOUT
INOCULATION?
I'd also like to review with you
briefly the imporance of proper
inoculation.
Under favorable conditions and
a continuous legume cropping his
tory, the right kind of and adequate
amount of bacteria may already be
present. Thus, theoretically, under
these conditions additional inocu
lation may not be necessary.
However, in case of low pH or
low fertility, drought, high soil
temperatures, or persistent rains,
the number of bacteria may be
reduced sharply. One or more
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these situations may have occurred
in your area this summer.
Under such conditions, and
especially when planting alfalfa
for the first time on new land, or if
4 or S years have passed since the
previous alfalfa crop, seed defi
nitely should be inoculated with
fresh inoculant just prior to sow
ing. A good rule of thumb is still
“when in doubt, inoculate.”
Inoculation adds a fresh culture
of effective rhizobia strains to
seed and soil. Thus, rhizobia can
begin working as the seed germi
nates and the plants start growing.
And since protein content in
legumes is directly related to nitro
gen content effective inoculation is
a major key to improving yield and
quality.
SADDLE
UP!
TO BETTER EQUIPMENT
Plmd ft fj» luc«it*r Fanlif'i
CfaMifVMf tafts.
PRE-INOCULATION
Just a word about pre
inoculation. Much of the alfalfa
seed currently marketed is already
pre-inoculated with the proper rhi
zobia strain. Newer pre
inoculation techniques, such as the
clay-based Dormal process, have
proven highly effective and have
extended the shelf life over con
ventional humus-based pre
inoculants.
Never-the-less, pre-inoculated
seed carried over from spring for
August seedings should, in my
opinion, be reinoculated just prior
to seeding, especially this year
with the drought and excessively
high temperatures experienced in
most areas.
Remember, when in doubt
inoculate.
-FMC
For the dealer nearest you, contact,
Ingredient Resource Corporation
2401 Lower Hunters Trace
Louisville, KY 40216
, . C*u Kevin P«yne 80M22-2474
/ Pure tnd Simple