PR-453
R.F. Spitaleri, J.C. Henning, G.D. Lacefield, J. Wyles, B. Sleugh, and P.C. Vincelli
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is historically the highest yielding, highest quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It forms the basis of Kentucky’s cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef, and sheep diets. Choosing a good alfalfa variety is a key step in establishing a stand of alfalfa. The choice of variety can impact yield, thickness of stand, and persistence of alfalfa stands.
This report provides current yield data on alfalfa varieties included in yield trials in Kentucky as well as guidelines for selecting alfalfa varieties.
Local Adaptation and Persistence. High yields in variety tests over a range of years and locations are the best indication that a variety is locally adapted and persistent. Several varieties are adapted for use in Kentucky as determined from results in this report.
Winter Hardiness. Each variety has a fall dormancy rating ranging from 1 (very dormant) to 9 (non-dormant). In general, varieties with lower dormancy ratings take more warm weather in spring to initiate growth, and they stop growing sooner in the fall. This growth habit can, but does not necessarily, reduce annual yields compared to less dormant varieties. Generally, alfalfa should have a fall dormancy rating of 2 to 5 to yield well in Kentucky and have good winter survival. Ratings of 6 and above are not winter-hardy under Kentucky conditions.
Disease and Pest Resistance. In Kentucky, producers should use varieties that have at least an “MR” (moderate resistance) rating to phytophthora root rot (PRR), anthracnose (An), bacterial wilt (Bw), and fusarium wilt (Fw) as well as an “R” (resistance) rating to aphanomyces root rot (APH). Kentucky research indicates that aphanomyces root rot is a widespread problem in the state during stand establishment and that resistance is beneficial, particularly in soils also infested with phytophthora root rot.
Phytophthora root rot is a fungal disease associated with poorly drained soils or excessive rainfall. This disease causes yellowish to reddish-brown areas on roots and crowns that eventually become black and rotten. The top growth of infected plants appears stunted and yellow.
Anthracnose, also caused by a fungus, attacks the stems of alfalfa, preventing water flow to the rest of the shoot and causing sudden wilting. These wilted shoots have a characteristic “shepherd’s crook” appearance. Anthracnose can also cause a bluish-black crown rot.
Bacterial wilt and fusarium wilt are infections of the water-conducting tissues of alfalfa roots and do not cause any noticeable root rot. These diseases prevent water flow to leaves, resulting in wilting of shoots and the eventual death of infected plants. Roots infected with bacterial wilt often have a yellowish-brown discoloration of the inner woody cylinder of the taproot. Fusarium infection can be recognized by brown to red streaks in the inner woody cylinder of the taproot.
Aphanomyces root rot is another fungal disease associated with poorly drained soils or excessive rainfall. Affected seedlings will be stunted but remain upright, unlike those with symptoms of damping off. In established plants, root symptoms are not as well defined as those for phytophthora root rot, but brown lesions on the taproot indicate where lateral roots were destroyed. This disease can be associated with phytophthora root rot, and together they may form a root disease complex. Aphanomyces root rot is known to affect new seedings in Kentucky, but it is still unclear how it affects established alfalfa.
In years with overly cool and wet spring weather, alfalfa stands have suffered great damage due to aphanomyces when planted with varieties that are susceptible to this disease.
Although certain alfalfa varieties are reported to have some resistance to sclerotinia crown and stem rot, UK research has shown that these varieties often perform poorly against the disease under Kentucky conditions.
Seed Quality. Buy high-quality seed that is high in germination and purity and free from weed seed. Buy certified seed or proprietary seed of an improved variety. An improved variety is one that has performed well in independent trials such as those that are reported in this publication or others like it. Other information on the label will include the test date, which must be within the previous nine months, the level of germination, and other crop and weed seed. Order seed well in advance of planting time to assure that it will be available when needed.
Alfalfa variety tests were established at Lexington (1995, 1997 and 2000), Bowling Green (1996 and 1998), Princeton (1997, 1999, and 2001), and Eden Shale (1998) as part of the Forage Variety Testing Program. The soils at most locations are well suited to alfalfa, in that they are generally well-drained silt loams (Maury, Pembroke, and Crider, at Lexington, Bowling Green, and Princeton, respectively). Eden Shale has a Nicholson silt loam soil. The Bowling Green tests are on soils that are naturally infested with both phytophthora and aphanomyces root rot pathogens, and the 1997 seeding in Princeton was found to be infested with the aphanomyces pathogen.
Plots were 5 x 15 feet in a randomized complete block design with four replications. In each test, 20 pounds of seed per acre were planted into a prepared seedbed using a disk drill. Plots were harvested with a sickle-type forage plot harvester. First cuttings in the seedling year were delayed to allow the alfalfa to completely reach maturity as indicated by full bloom. Otherwise, harvests were taken when the alfalfa was in the bud to early flower stage. Fresh weight samples were taken at each harvest to calculate percent dry matter production. Management of all tests for establishment, fertility, pest control, and harvest management was according to University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service recommendations. Pests (weeds and insects) were controlled so that they would not limit yield or persistence.
Weather data for Bowling Green, Eden Shale, Lexington, and Princeton are presented in Table 1. All locations had a drier than normal spring, and all but Eden Shale had below average rainfall for the year. Temperatures were above average in the spring and near normal for the rest of the growing season.
Yield data (on a dry matter basis) for all tests are reported in Tables 2 through 11. Varieties are listed in order from highest to lowest total production (for the life of the test). Experimental varieties are listed separately at the bottom of the tables and are not available commercially. Yields are given by cutting for 2001 and by year for each prior year of production.
Statistical analyses were performed on all alfalfa yield data (including experimentals) to determine if the apparent differences are truly due to variety. Varieties not significantly different from the highest numerical value in a column are marked with an asterisk (*). To determine if two varieties are truly different, compare the difference between the two varieties to the Least Significant Difference (LSD) at the bottom of the column. If the difference is equal to or greater than the LSD, the varieties are truly different when grown under the conditions at a given location. The Coefficient of Variation (CV), which is a measure of the variability of the data, is included for each column of means. Low variability is desirable, and increased variability within a study results in higher CVs and larger LSDs.
Table 12 summarizes information about proprietors, distributors, fall dormancy, disease resistance, and yield performance across years and locations for all the varieties currently included in the tests discussed in this report. Varieties are listed in alphabetical order with the experimental varieties at the bottom. Remember that experimental varieties are not available for farm use, while commercial varieties can be purchased through dealerships. In Table 12, shaded areas indicate that the variety was not in that particular test (labeled at the top of the column), while white or unshaded blocks mean that the variety was in the test. A single asterisk (*) means that the variety was not significantly different from the top-yielding variety based on the 5% LSD. It is best to choose a variety that has performed well over several years and locations as indicated by the asterisks. Make sure seed of the variety is properly labeled and will be available when needed.
Consistent production of high yields of alfalfa is the result of good variety selection along with the implementation of good management techniques. For further information about alfalfa management, refer to these College of Agriculture publications, available at the local county Extension office:
AGR-76: Alfalfa: The Queen of the Forage Crops
AGR-107: Alfalfa: Quality Means Profits
AGR-64: Establishing Forage Crops
AGR-90: Inoculation of Forage Legumes
AGR-18: Grain and Forage Crop Guide for Kentucky
AGR-1: Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations
AGR-148: Weed Control Strategies for Alfalfa and Other Forage Legume Crops
ENT-17: Insect Management Recommendations for Field Crops and Livestock
PPA-10d: Kentucky Plant Disease Management Guide for Forage Legumes
PPA-28: Alfalfa Varieties: Relative Disease Resistance and Winter Hardiness
AGR-137: Alfalfa Hay: Quality Makes the Difference
| Table 1. Temperature and rainfall at Bowling Green, Eden Shale, Lexington, and Princeton, Kentucky in 2001. | ||||||||||||||||
| Bowling Green | Eden Shale | Lexington | Princeton | |||||||||||||
| Temp | Rainfall | Temp | Rainfall | Temp | Rainfall | Temp | Rainfall | |||||||||
| MON | oF | DEP | IN | DEP | oF | DEP | IN | DEP | oF | DEP | IN | DEP | oF | DEP | IN | DEP |
| JAN | 33 | -1 | 1.8 | -2.1 | 30 | -2 | 1.1 | -1.5 | 31 | 0 | 0.9 | -1.9 | 35 | +1 | 1.6 | -2.3 |
| FEB | 43 | +5 | 4.4 | +0.3 | 37 | +1 | 1.8 | -0.9 | 40 | +5 | 3.2 | 0 | 44 | +6 | 5.0 | +0.5 |
| MAR | 43 | -3 | 2.9 | -2.2 | 40 | -5 | 1.2 | -3.1 | 40 | -4 | 2.7 | -1.7 | 44 | -3 | 2.8 | -2.1 |
| APR | 62 | +5 | 2.3 | -2.1 | 58 | +2 | 1.6 | -2.2 | 59 | +4 | 1.7 | -2.2 | 64 | +5 | 2.2 | -2.6 |
| MAY | 69 | +3 | 4.3 | -0.6 | 65 | +1 | 5.1 | +0.8 | 66 | +2 | 4.9 | +0.4 | 69 | +2 | 2.5 | -2.5 |
| JUN | 73 | -2 | 4.4 | +0.3 | 70 | -2 | 4.9 | +0.7 | 71 | -1 | 2.0 | -1.6 | 74 | -1 | 4.8 | +1.0 |
| JUL | 79 | +1 | 3.7 | -1.1 | 75 | -1 | 8.7 | +4.5 | 75 | -1 | 5.6 | +0.6 | 80 | +2 | 5.5 | +1.2 |
| AUG | 77 | 0 | 6.0 | +2.5 | 75 | 0 | 5.0 | +1.7 | 76 | +1 | 4.8 | +0.8 | 79 | +2 | 4.0 | -0.1 |
| SEP | 68 | -2 | 2.1 | -1.7 | 65 | -4 | 2.5 | -0.4 | 65 | -3 | 3.0 | -0.2 | 69 | -2 | 3.5 | +0.2 |
| OCT | 57 | -1 | 4.3 | +1.3 | 55 | -2 | 6.7 | +3.9 | 56 | -1 | 3.6 | +1.1 | 61 | +2 | 7.5 | +4.4 |
| Dep is departure from the long-term average for that location. | ||||||||||||||||
| Table 2. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 6 September 1995 at Lexington, Kentucky. | |||||||||||
| Variety |
Total 1996 | Total 1997 | Total 1998 | Total 1999 | Total 2000 | 2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
6-yr
Total |
|||
| May 16 | Jun 18 | Jul 31 | Aug 21 | ||||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | |||||||||||
| DK127 | 5.05 | 4.41 | 5.09 | 3.86 | 5.32 | 1.89 | 1.21 | 1.11 | 0.82 | 5.03 | 28.77 * |
| Choice | 4.54 | 4.10 | 5.01 | 4.17 | 5.83 | 1.96 | 1.20 | 0.99 | 0.74 | 4.89 | 28.53 * |
| Rushmore | 5.25 | 4.33 | 4.69 | 3.46 | 5.44 | 1.82 | 1.12 | 1.05 | 0.80 | 4.79 | 27.96 * |
| Excalibur II | 4.54 | 3.84 | 4.93 | 4.04 | 5.59 | 1.93 | 1.13 | 1.12 | 0.66 | 4.83 | 27.76 * |
| DK133 | 4.33 | 3.82 | 5.07 | 3.77 | 5.54 | 1.95 | 1.22 | 1.17 | 0.80 | 5.14 | 27.66 * |
| Supercuts | 4.35 | 3.66 | 4.93 | 3.81 | 5.56 | 2.04 | 1.14 | 0.95 | 0.67 | 4.80 | 27.12 * |
| Saranac AR | 4.12 | 3.84 | 4.88 | 3.75 | 5.52 | 1.90 | 1.12 | 0.88 | 0.68 | 4.58 | 26.70 * |
| Multiqueen | 4.50 | 4.12 | 4.70 | 3.26 | 5.44 | 1.80 | 1.13 | 0.91 | 0.81 | 4.65 | 26.66 * |
| WL 323 | 4.45 | 4.09 | 4.78 | 3.67 | 5.28 | 1.72 | 1.14 | 0.92 | 0.61 | 4.40 | 26.66 * |
| Dominator | 4.03 | 3.68 | 4.94 | 3.49 | 5.51 | 1.96 | 1.16 | 0.96 | 0.76 | 4.84 | 26.49 * |
| Arc | 4.35 | 3.35 | 4.24 | 3.46 | 5.25 | 1.86 | 1.10 | 1.03 | 0.74 | 4.72 | 25.39 |
| 5454 | 4.36 | 3.55 | 4.43 | 3.11 | 4.73 | 1.80 | 1.30 | 0.96 | 0.82 | 4.88 | 25.06 |
| 329 | 4.16 | 3.62 | 4.55 | 2.85 | 4.89 | 1.80 | 1.13 | 0.88 | 0.66 | 4.46 | 24.52 |
| 630 | 3.31 | 3.15 | 4.35 | 2.96 | 4.91 | 1.74 | 1.14 | 0.75 | 0.71 | 4.34 | 23.03 |
| Legacy | 4.13 | 3.01 | 4.03 | 2.55 | 4.51 | 1.83 | 1.09 | 0.93 | 0.71 | 4.55 | 22.79 |
| Apollo | 3.55 | 2.79 | 3.77 | 2.46 | 4.14 | 1.50 | 1.02 | 0.88 | 0.57 | 3.98 | 20.69 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | |||||||||||
| ABI 9231 | 4.72 | 3.80 | 5.01 | 3.79 | 5.52 | 2.00 | 1.22 | 1.21 | 0.88 | 5.31 | 28.15 * |
| GA-APGC | 4.49 | 4.42 | 4.91 | 3.40 | 5.42 | 2.05 | 1.16 | 0.90 | 0.71 | 4.81 | 27.46 * |
| ZC9346 | 3.96 | 4.15 | 5.14 | 2.91 | 5.20 | 1.92 | 1.22 | 0.93 | 0.83 | 4.90 | 26.27 * |
| 93116 | 4.35 | 3.49 | 4.35 | 3.27 | 4.90 | 1.59 | 1.17 | 0.91 | 0.66 | 4.32 | 24.69 |
| GA-MX | 3.73 | 2.74 | 3.90 | 2.85 | 4.19 | 1.49 | 1.06 | 0.78 | 0.64 | 3.97 | 21.38 |
| Mean | 4.3 | 3.71 | 4.65 | 3.38 | 5.18 | 1.83 | 1.15 | 0.96 | 0.72 | 4.67 | 25.89 |
| CV,% | 13.7 | 13.93 | 8.69 | 21.22 | 10.34 | 10.26 | 7.15 | 16.37 | 14.92 | 8.02 | 9.13 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.83 | 0.73 | 0.57 | 1.01 | 0.76 | 0.27 | 0.12 | 0.22 | 0.15 | 0.53 | 3.34 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the test, based on the 0.05 LSD. | |||||||||||
| Table 3. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 19 April 1996 at Bowling Green, Kentucky. | ||||||||||||
| Variety | Total
1996 |
Total 1997 | Total 1998 | Total 1999 | Total 2000 | 2001 Harvests | Total 2001 | 6-yr
Total |
||||
| Apr 27 | Jun 12 | Jul 24 | Aug 23 | Sep 22 | ||||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||||
| WL 324 | 5.96 | 3.75 | 5.71 | 5.91 | 5.68 | 1.32 | 1.91 | 1.92 | 0.79 | 1.19 | 7.13 | 34.14* |
| 631 | 4.96 | 3.88 | 5.24 | 5.69 | 5.89 | 1.51 | 2.17 | 2.06 | 0.98 | 1.34 | 8.06 | 33.72* |
| WL 252HQ | 5.05 | 3.39 | 5.69 | 6.01 | 5.49 | 1.32 | 2.02 | 1.93 | 0.89 | 1.41 | 7.57 | 33.20* |
| Imperial | 5.33 | 3.63 | 5.28 | 5.91 | 5.68 | 1.31 | 2.04 | 1.84 | 0.76 | 1.37 | 7.33 | 33.15* |
| Affinity+z | 5.26 | 3.48 | 5.55 | 5.87 | 5.49 | 1.41 | 2.12 | 1.77 | 0.81 | 1.29 | 7.40 | 33.05* |
| Depend+ev | 5.15 | 3.59 | 5.48 | 5.78 | 5.56 | 1.42 | 2.09 | 1.83 | 0.83 | 1.22 | 7.39 | 32.96* |
| TMF-Generation | 5.22 | 3.80 | 5.45 | 5.89 | 5.31 | 1.36 | 2.03 | 1.80 | 0.79 | 1.30 | 7.27 | 32.95* |
| DK133 | 4.95 | 3.38 | 5.64 | 5.69 | 5.36 | 1.45 | 2.10 | 1.99 | 0.87 | 1.46 | 7.86 | 32.87* |
| Supercuts | 5.02 | 3.76 | 5.18 | 5.75 | 5.70 | 1.37 | 2.08 | 1.82 | 0.83 | 1.27 | 7.36 | 32.78* |
| Choice | 4.91 | 3.75 | 5.49 | 5.70 | 5.47 | 1.30 | 2.12 | 1.77 | 0.87 | 1.27 | 7.32 | 32.65* |
| 645 | 5.46 | 3.54 | 5.34 | 5.56 | 5.44 | 1.36 | 2.07 | 1.78 | 0.83 | 1.24 | 7.27 | 32.60* |
| Gem | 5.17 | 3.52 | 5.56 | 5.69 | 5.27 | 1.30 | 1.98 | 1.83 | 0.79 | 1.31 | 7.20 | 32.40* |
| Saranac AR | 5.27 | 3.50 | 5.22 | 5.49 | 5.44 | 1.33 | 2.10 | 1.90 | 0.81 | 1.27 | 7.40 | 32.32 |
| DK127 | 4.92 | 3.35 | 5.22 | 5.71 | 5.53 | 1.28 | 2.01 | 1.92 | 0.90 | 1.36 | 7.48 | 32.21 |
| ABT 405 | 5.32 | 3.51 | 5.35 | 5.55 | 5.20 | 1.42 | 1.98 | 1.73 | 0.83 | 1.27 | 7.22 | 32.16 |
| Innovator+z | 4.95 | 3.47 | 5.33 | 5.39 | 5.38 | 1.42 | 2.08 | 1.90 | 0.84 | 1.27 | 7.52 | 32.04 |
| Demand | 5.21 | 3.73 | 5.24 | 5.54 | 5.58 | 1.38 | 1.69 | 1.65 | 0.73 | 1.16 | 6.62 | 31.91 |
| WL325HQ | 5.09 | 3.53 | 5.05 | 5.56 | 4.90 | 1.34 | 2.04 | 1.77 | 0.83 | 1.27 | 7.25 | 31.38 |
| Rushmore | 4.75 | 3.12 | 5.28 | 5.37 | 5.35 | 1.39 | 2.07 | 1.79 | 0.86 | 1.32 | 7.43 | 31.29 |
| Fortress | 5.30 | 3.56 | 4.84 | 5.40 | 5.11 | 1.28 | 1.81 | 1.79 | 0.84 | 1.22 | 6.94 | 31.14 |
| Legacy | 4.70 | 3.07 | 5.19 | 5.53 | 5.30 | 1.32 | 2.05 | 1.77 | 0.79 | 1.30 | 7.23 | 31.02 |
| Apollo | 5.16 | 2.88 | 5.24 | 5.30 | 5.10 | 1.29 | 1.95 | 1.69 | 0.75 | 1.33 | 7.01 | 30.69 |
| Buffalo-B | 5.27 | 2.89 | 4.68 | 5.25 | 5.04 | 1.27 | 1.83 | 1.74 | 0.80 | 1.36 | 7.00 | 30.15 |
| Arc | 5.00 | 2.93 | 4.57 | 4.82 | 5.04 | 1.30 | 1.82 | 1.72 | 0.75 | 1.30 | 6.89 | 29.25 |
| Buffalo-A | 4.85 | 2.34 | 4.48 | 4.61 | 4.60 | 1.03 | 1.70 | 1.61 | 0.79 | 1.29 | 6.43 | 27.30 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||||
| Zg9430 | 4.79 | 3.42 | 5.28 | 5.70 | 5.49 | 1.50 | 1.99 | 1.77 | 0.83 | 1.28 | 7.37 | 32.05 |
| Zg9543 | 4.88 | 3.46 | 5.37 | 5.76 | 5.48 | 1.37 | 1.90 | 1.72 | 0.92 | 1.20 | 7.10 | 32.05 |
| Zg9533 | 5.39 | 3.34 | 5.18 | 5.63 | 5.44 | 1.30 | 1.91 | 1.70 | 0.75 | 1.16 | 6.81 | 31.80 |
| Zg9530 | 5.09 | 3.42 | 5.42 | 5.32 | 5.34 | 1.37 | 2.00 | 1.71 | 0.92 | 1.14 | 7.16 | 31.75 |
| A9107 | 4.99 | 3.66 | 5.15 | 5.33 | 5.19 | 1.39 | 2.01 | 1.77 | 0.80 | 1.23 | 7.20 | 31.53 |
| C106 | 4.60 | 3.22 | 5.30 | 5.77 | 5.40 | 1.27 | 1.93 | 1.74 | 0.88 | 1.30 | 7.12 | 31.41 |
| 93-116 | 5.57 | 3.49 | 5.21 | 5.27 | 5.00 | 1.16 | 1.84 | 1.71 | 0.84 | 1.25 | 6.81 | 31.35 |
| Mean | 5.11 | 3.42 | 5.26 | 5.55 | 5.35 | 1.34 | 1.98 | 1.80 | 0.83 | 1.28 | 7.22 | 31.91 |
| CV, % | 10.63 | 10.45 | 6.22 | 6.22 | 5.63 | 7.92 | 9.48 | 10.84 | 8.71 | 11.05 | 6.15 | 3.96 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.76 | 0.5 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 0.40 | 0.15 | 0.26 | 0.27 | 0.10 | 0.20 | 0.62 | 1.78 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column based on the 0.05 LSD. | ||||||||||||
| Table 4. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 15 April 1997 at Lexington, Kentucky. | ||||||||||
| Variety | Total
1997 |
Total
1998 |
Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
5-yr
Total |
|||
| May 14 | Jun 19 | Aug 1 | Aug 27 | |||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| Stampede | 2.20 | 5.74 | 5.79 | 6.74 | 1.63 | 1.54 | 1.04 | 1.05 | 5.27 | 25.74* |
| Haygrazer | 2.40 | 6.01 | 5.43 | 6.55 | 1.64 | 1.50 | 0.98 | 1.02 | 5.15 | 25.55* |
| Feast | 2.11 | 6.10 | 5.68 | 6.57 | 1.64 | 1.49 | 0.89 | 0.95 | 4.97 | 25.44* |
| 401Z | 2.18 | 5.97 | 5.73 | 6.45 | 1.62 | 1.52 | 0.94 | 0.91 | 4.98 | 25.30* |
| WL326GZ | 2.29 | 5.80 | 5.27 | 6.59 | 1.63 | 1.54 | 0.94 | 0.99 | 5.10 | 25.04* |
| ABT405 | 2.25 | 5.96 | 5.31 | 6.31 | 1.62 | 1.51 | 0.90 | 0.91 | 4.95 | 24.78* |
| SaranacAR | 2.14 | 5.75 | 5.51 | 5.90 | 1.45 | 1.31 | 0.84 | 0.92 | 4.52 | 23.82 |
| Fortress | 2.28 | 5.62 | 5.36 | 6.01 | 1.41 | 1.36 | 0.81 | 0.86 | 4.44 | 23.71 |
| GrazeKing | 2.19 | 5.50 | 4.75 | 6.14 | 1.41 | 1.37 | 0.88 | 0.94 | 4.61 | 23.19 |
| AlfaGraze | 1.91 | 5.29 | 4.91 | 6.00 | 1.41 | 1.31 | 0.90 | 1.01 | 4.62 | 22.74 |
| Spredor3 | 1.94 | 5.44 | 4.97 | 5.48 | 1.49 | 1.31 | 0.76 | 0.74 | 4.30 | 22.12 |
| Apollo | 1.94 | 5.31 | 4.78 | 5.80 | 1.19 | 1.25 | 0.83 | 0.99 | 4.26 | 22.09 |
| Arc | 2.00 | 5.24 | 4.63 | 5.57 | 1.39 | 1.25 | 0.84 | 0.87 | 4.34 | 21.78 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| Pioneer | 2.39 | 5.78 | 5.06 | 6.91 | 1.61 | 1.65 | 1.08 | 1.10 | 5.44 | 25.57* |
| CAR9426 | 2.16 | 5.82 | 5.45 | 6.34 | 1.57 | 1.37 | 0.87 | 1.02 | 4.83 | 24.61* |
| A9508 | 2.36 | 5.74 | 5.13 | 6.30 | 1.60 | 1.53 | 0.93 | 0.92 | 4.97 | 24.50* |
| GAAPGC | 2.07 | 5.56 | 5.23 | 6.11 | 1.56 | 1.48 | 0.95 | 1.00 | 4.98 | 23.96 |
| W116 | 1.97 | 5.45 | 5.05 | 5.91 | 1.49 | 1.40 | 0.89 | 0.94 | 4.72 | 23.10 |
| Mean | 2.16 | 5.67 | 5.22 | 6.20 | 1.52 | 1.43 | 0.90 | 0.95 | 4.80 | 24.06 |
| CV, % | 11.79 | 4.13 | 8.98 | 5.41 | 6.71 | 6.86 | 8.39 | 12.84 | 5.09 | 4.18 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.36 | 0.33 | 0.66 | 0.48 | 0.15 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.17 | 0.35 | 1.43 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column based on the 0.05 LSD. | ||||||||||
| Table 5. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 18 April 1997 at Lexington, Kentucky. | ||||||||||
| Variety |
Total
1997 |
Total
1998 |
Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
5-yr
Total |
|||
| May 14 | Jun 19 | Aug 1 | Aug 27 | |||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| 631 | 2.51 | 5.64 | 4.54 | 8.55 | 2.18 | 1.52 | 1.17 | 0.97 | 5.84 | 27.07* |
| Choice | 2.57 | 5.66 | 4.73 | 8.24 | 1.97 | 1.48 | 1.16 | 0.95 | 5.56 | 26.76* |
| Wintergreen | 1.99 | 5.58 | 4.80 | 8.42 | 2.10 | 1.54 | 1.20 | 1.00 | 5.84 | 26.63* |
| DK140 | 2.24 | 5.76 | 4.61 | 8.33 | 1.99 | 1.52 | 1.18 | 0.96 | 5.65 | 26.59* |
| WL 325HQ | 2.19 | 5.46 | 4.35 | 8.51 | 2.03 | 1.55 | 1.26 | 0.98 | 5.82 | 26.32* |
| ABT 405 | 1.88 | 5.53 | 4.64 | 8.31 | 2.10 | 1.42 | 1.13 | 0.90 | 5.54 | 25.90* |
| Cimarron 3i | 2.26 | 5.34 | 4.63 | 8.40 | 1.98 | 1.34 | 1.03 | 0.83 | 5.17 | 25.81* |
| ABT 205 | 1.88 | 5.45 | 4.60 | 8.26 | 2.10 | 1.45 | 1.03 | 0.89 | 5.47 | 25.65* |
| Gem | 1.85 | 5.41 | 4.82 | 8.13 | 1.99 | 1.40 | 1.10 | 0.89 | 5.37 | 25.59* |
| DK141 | 2.35 | 5.57 | 4.08 | 8.08 | 1.81 | 1.41 | 1.16 | 1.00 | 5.37 | 25.46* |
| Affinity+z | 2.13 | 5.55 | 4.37 | 8.01 | 2.06 | 1.42 | 1.10 | 0.79 | 5.38 | 25.43* |
| Cimarron VR | 2.58 | 5.37 | 3.90 | 8.11 | 1.83 | 1.37 | 1.08 | 0.97 | 5.24 | 25.21* |
| Fortress | 2.14 | 5.14 | 4.38 | 7.72 | 1.83 | 1.36 | 1.12 | 0.94 | 5.24 | 24.61 |
| Saranac AR | 1.95 | 5.29 | 4.42 | 7.68 | 1.82 | 1.30 | 1.04 | 0.92 | 5.07 | 24.42 |
| Arc | 1.82 | 4.82 | 3.98 | 7.23 | 1.73 | 1.12 | 0.96 | 0.87 | 4.68 | 22.52 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| C231 | 2.29 | 5.43 | 4.86 | 8.67 | 1.87 | 1.49 | 1.17 | 1.01 | 5.54 | 26.78* |
| ZB9546 | 1.89 | 5.48 | 5.00 | 7.99 | 1.93 | 1.52 | 1.21 | 1.00 | 5.66 | 26.03* |
| ZC9623S | 1.73 | 5.72 | 4.93 | 7.73 | 1.92 | 1.26 | 1.06 | 0.90 | 5.14 | 25.25* |
| ZC9630S | 1.81 | 5.41 | 4.62 | 7.92 | 2.00 | 1.40 | 1.16 | 0.94 | 5.49 | 25.25* |
| C106 | 1.71 | 5.02 | 4.07 | 8.21 | 2.10 | 1.53 | 1.13 | 1.06 | 5.82 | 24.82 |
| Mean | 2.09 | 5.43 | 4.52 | 8.13 | 2.00 | 1.42 | 1.12 | 0.94 | 5.45 | 25.60 |
| CV, % | 17.07 | 4.92 | 8.94 | 6.02 | 8.08 | 6.48 | 10.40 | 13.00 | 6.03 | 5.18 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.51 | 0.38 | 0.57 | 0.69 | 0.22 | 0.13 | 0.16 | 0.17 | 0.47 | 1.88 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | ||||||||||
| Table 6. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 15 April 1997 at Princeton, Kentucky. | |||||||||||
| Variety |
Total
1997 |
Total
1998 |
Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total 2001 | 5-yr
Total |
||||
| Apr 26 | Jun 12 | Jul 17 | Aug 22 | Sep 30 | |||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | |||||||||||
| ABT 405 | 1.73 | 5.01 | 4.90 | 4.04 | 0.62 | 1.04 | 1.15 | 0.88 | 0.42 | 4.10 | 19.78* |
| Choice | 1.91 | 5.07 | 4.99 | 3.88 | 0.58 | 0.88 | 0.97 | 0.86 | 0.36 | 3.65 | 19.50* |
| 631 | 1.65 | 4.69 | 4.98 | 4.03 | 0.66 | 0.96 | 1.22 | 0.90 | 0.41 | 4.14 | 19.49* |
| Wintergreen | 1.62 | 4.88 | 5.01 | 3.83 | 0.59 | 0.87 | 0.95 | 0.83 | 0.34 | 3.58 | 18.92* |
| Rushmore | 1.81 | 4.79 | 4.93 | 3.81 | 0.62 | 0.79 | 0.93 | 0.79 | 0.34 | 3.46 | 18.81* |
| Amerigraze 401+z | 1.50 | 4.82 | 4.79 | 3.87 | 0.61 | 0.94 | 0.95 | 0.92 | 0.33 | 3.74 | 18.71* |
| Feast | 1.82 | 4.63 | 4.72 | 3.90 | 0.59 | 0.77 | 0.87 | 0.81 | 0.31 | 3.36 | 18.44* |
| Gem | 1.37 | 4.84 | 4.68 | 3.61 | 0.64 | 0.87 | 0.93 | 0.85 | 0.29 | 3.58 | 18.08 |
| Fortress | 1.48 | 4.70 | 4.62 | 3.52 | 0.53 | 0.82 | 0.95 | 0.93 | 0.34 | 3.56 | 17.87 |
| WL 326GZ | 1.67 | 4.69 | 4.39 | 3.76 | 0.55 | 0.77 | 0.81 | 0.92 | 0.28 | 3.33 | 17.84 |
| ABT 205 | 1.50 | 4.64 | 4.56 | 3.62 | 0.55 | 0.84 | 0.89 | 0.84 | 0.29 | 3.41 | 17.71 |
| Arc | 1.19 | 4.56 | 4.52 | 3.66 | 0.68 | 0.87 | 0.85 | 1.00 | 0.30 | 3.70 | 17.62 |
| WL 332SR | 1.64 | 4.64 | 4.55 | 3.27 | 0.37 | 0.72 | 0.88 | 0.78 | 0.22 | 2.97 | 17.07 |
| Saranac AR | 1.22 | 4.37 | 4.66 | 3.36 | 0.55 | 0.76 | 0.81 | 0.92 | 0.31 | 3.36 | 16.97 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | |||||||||||
| ZC9651 | 1.88 | 5.09 | 5.04 | 4.17 | 0.66 | 1.08 | 1.13 | 0.88 | 0.41 | 4.16 | 20.34* |
| Mean | 1.60 | 4.76 | 4.76 | 3.76 | 0.59 | 0.87 | 0.95 | 0.87 | 0.33 | 3.61 | 18.48 |
| CV, % | 26.01 | 9.12 | 9.63 | 6.47 | 16.48 | 12.39 | 17.72 | 18.00 | 19.39 | 12.44 | 8.48 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.59 | 0.62 | 0.65 | 0.35 | 0.14 | 0.15 | 0.24 | 0.22 | 0.09 | 0.64 | 2.24 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | |||||||||||
| Table 7. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 14 May 1998 at Bowling Green, Kentucky. | ||||||||||
| Variety |
Total
1998 |
Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total 2001 | 4-yr
Total |
||||
| 37007.0 | 37053.0 | 37095.0 | 37125.0 | 37155.0 | ||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| DK141 | 0.37 | 4.86 | 5.46 | 1.31 | 1.90 | 1.59 | 0.73 | 0.74 | 4.80 | 15.49* |
| Pasture+ | 0.29 | 4.83 | 5.24 | 1.43 | 1.79 | 1.53 | 0.71 | 0.80 | 4.76 | 15.11* |
| Cimmaron3i | 0.33 | 4.70 | 5.23 | 1.26 | 1.76 | 1.50 | 0.65 | 0.64 | 4.53 | 14.79* |
| DK140 | 0.39 | 4.77 | 5.54 | 1.31 | 1.10 | 1.64 | 0.69 | 0.72 | 4.05 | 14.75* |
| ABT350 | 0.32 | 4.54 | 4.96 | 1.41 | 1.87 | 1.50 | 0.79 | 0.80 | 4.77 | 14.59* |
| ABT400SCL | 0.30 | 4.52 | 5.02 | 1.34 | 1.85 | 1.43 | 0.73 | 0.76 | 4.62 | 14.45* |
| WL 326GZ | 0.28 | 4.42 | 4.99 | 1.33 | 1.77 | 1.46 | 0.69 | 0.75 | 4.56 | 14.24* |
| Emperor | 0.30 | 4.50 | 4.87 | 1.40 | 1.66 | 1.50 | 0.77 | 0.84 | 4.56 | 14.22* |
| Choice | 0.27 | 4.49 | 4.90 | 1.31 | 1.77 | 1.46 | 0.71 | 0.78 | 4.54 | 14.20* |
| Geneva | 0.29 | 4.53 | 4.89 | 1.20 | 1.80 | 1.41 | 0.80 | 0.73 | 4.42 | 14.13* |
| ProGro | 0.23 | 4.02 | 5.14 | 1.35 | 1.82 | 1.44 | 0.66 | 0.70 | 4.62 | 14.00* |
| Baralfa54 | 0.25 | 4.28 | 4.81 | 1.30 | 1.67 | 1.41 | 0.64 | 0.72 | 4.38 | 13.72 |
| Stellar | 0.21 | 4.10 | 4.72 | 1.22 | 1.70 | 1.38 | 0.68 | 0.74 | 4.30 | 13.33 |
| Certified Arc | 0.19 | 3.91 | 4.71 | 1.30 | 1.83 | 1.33 | 0.65 | 0.74 | 4.46 | 13.26 |
| Saranac AR | 0.26 | 3.87 | 4.86 | 1.19 | 1.65 | 1.29 | 0.69 | 0.68 | 4.12 | 13.11 |
| GoldPlus | 0.28 | 4.15 | 4.62 | 1.08 | 1.68 | 1.29 | 0.60 | 0.65 | 4.05 | 13.11 |
| Vernal | 0.20 | 3.65 | 4.62 | 1.32 | 1.77 | 1.35 | 0.66 | 0.70 | 4.44 | 12.91 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | ||||||||||
| C416 | 0.41 | 4.64 | 4.97 | 1.26 | 1.69 | 1.53 | 0.77 | 0.78 | 4.47 | 14.49* |
| ZC9651 | 0.33 | 4.34 | 5.27 | 1.32 | 1.86 | 1.32 | 0.62 | 0.69 | 4.51 | 14.46* |
| ZC9750A | 0.25 | 4.35 | 5.01 | 1.41 | 1.87 | 1.45 | 0.71 | 0.82 | 4.73 | 14.35* |
| ZC9751A | 0.23 | 4.39 | 5.03 | 1.35 | 1.86 | 1.39 | 0.70 | 0.79 | 4.60 | 14.26* |
| A9503 | 0.23 | 4.39 | 4.98 | 1.17 | 1.71 | 1.37 | 0.64 | 0.69 | 4.24 | 13.84 |
| ZG9641 | 0.32 | 4.27 | 4.61 | 1.38 | 1.68 | 1.39 | 0.69 | 0.77 | 4.45 | 13.65 |
| ZC9650 | 0.27 | 4.19 | 4.77 | 1.26 | 1.74 | 1.42 | 0.75 | 0.82 | 4.42 | 13.65 |
| ZG9640 | 0.19 | 4.19 | 4.62 | 1.36 | 1.77 | 1.42 | 0.66 | 0.71 | 4.56 | 13.55 |
| Mean | 0.28 | 4.35 | 4.82 | 1.30 | 1.74 | 1.43 | 0.70 | 0.74 | 4.48 | 14.07 |
| CV,% | 36.17 | 11.09 | 6.43 | 9.83 | 22.50 | 11.64 | 11.39 | 12.33 | 11.85 | 8.11 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.14 | 0.68 | 0.44 | 0.18 | 0.55 | 0.24 | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.75 | 1.61 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | ||||||||||
| Table 8. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 15 May 1988 at Eden Shale, Kentucky. | |||||||||
| Variety |
Total
1998 |
Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
4-yr
Total |
|||
| May 29 | Jul 2 | Aug 13 | Sep 20 | ||||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | |||||||||
| Stampede | 0.34 | 4.85 | 6.66 | 2.23 | 1.66 | 1.72 | 0.94 | 6.55 | 18.4 * |
| Gem | 0.36 | 4.95 | 6.04 | 2.46 | 1.74 | 1.87 | 0.88 | 6.95 | 18.30* |
| DK140 | 0.34 | 4.69 | 6.27 | 2.18 | 1.81 | 1.82 | 0.89 | 6.70 | 17.99* |
| Wintergreen | 0.37 | 4.64 | 6.15 | 2.47 | 1.72 | 1.72 | 0.91 | 6.83 | 17.98* |
| Choice | 0.38 | 4.71 | 6.19 | 2.36 | 1.62 | 1.80 | 0.85 | 6.62 | 17.91* |
| Grazeking | 0.39 | 4.45 | 6.24 | 2.32 | 1.68 | 1.85 | 0.90 | 6.75 | 17.83* |
| Amerigraze 401+z | 0.41 | 4.64 | 6.23 | 2.41 | 1.62 | 1.56 | 0.93 | 6.52 | 17.80* |
| Geneva | 0.43 | 4.72 | 5.99 | 2.25 | 1.72 | 1.76 | 0.86 | 6.59 | 17.72* |
| ABT 350 | 0.37 | 4.69 | 6.10 | 2.32 | 1.61 | 1.72 | 0.82 | 6.48 | 17.64* |
| Saranac AR | 0.35 | 4.69 | 6.03 | 2.18 | 1.70 | 1.69 | 0.92 | 6.49 | 17.57* |
| Spredor 3 | 0.35 | 4.56 | 6.17 | 2.23 | 1.64 | 1.78 | 0.78 | 6.43 | 17.51* |
| Haygrazer | 0.33 | 4.37 | 6.20 | 2.28 | 1.65 | 1.77 | 0.84 | 6.54 | 17.44* |
| Baralfa | 0.32 | 4.86 | 5.75 | 2.18 | 1.61 | 1.69 | 0.83 | 6.31 | 17.24* |
| WL 326GZ | 0.33 | 4.48 | 6.07 | 2.19 | 1.61 | 1.66 | 0.85 | 6.31 | 17.19* |
| Fortress | 0.35 | 4.58 | 5.71 | 2.24 | 1.64 | 1.66 | 0.92 | 6.46 | 17.10 |
| Cimarron 3i | 0.30 | 4.24 | 6.00 | 2.21 | 1.53 | 1.74 | 0.85 | 6.33 | 16.87 |
| Alfagraze | 0.34 | 4.43 | 5.92 | 2.08 | 1.58 | 1.60 | 0.84 | 6.09 | 16.78 |
| Vernal | 0.35 | 4.49 | 5.64 | 2.10 | 1.59 | 1.75 | 0.84 | 6.27 | 16.75 |
| ARC | 0.29 | 4.32 | 5.38 | 2.37 | 1.60 | 1.60 | 0.83 | 6.40 | 16.39 |
| Emperor | 0.42 | 4.40 | 4.76 | 2.25 | 1.66 | 1.63 | 0.85 | 6.39 | 15.97 |
| Mean | 0.36 | 4.59 | 5.98 | 2.27 | 1.65 | 1.72 | 0.87 | 6.50 | 17.42 |
| CV,% | 19.36 | 7.50 | 8.93 | 12.25 | 6.78 | 8.80 | 11.86 | 6.69 | 5.07 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.49 | 0.76 | 0.39 | 0.16 | 0.21 | 0.15 | 0.62 | 1.25 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | |||||||||
| Table 9. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 13 April 1999 at Princeton, Kentucky. | |||||||||
| Variety | Total
1999 |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
3-yr
Total |
||||
| May 9 | Jun 13 | Jul 17 | Aug 22 | Sep 30 | |||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | |||||||||
| 54v54 | 1.94 | 7.00 | 2.02 | 1.91 | 1.50 | 1.00 | 0.49 | 6.92 | 15.86* |
| Affinity+z | 1.85 | 7.00 | 1.91 | 1.97 | 1.45 | 0.99 | 0.51 | 6.83 | 15.68* |
| DK140 | 1.88 | 7.02 | 1.93 | 1.94 | 1.48 | 0.83 | 0.57 | 6.75 | 15.65* |
| Abilene+z | 1.70 | 6.95 | 1.92 | 1.94 | 1.44 | 1.12 | 0.49 | 6.91 | 15.57* |
| ABT400 SCL | 1.70 | 6.89 | 2.07 | 1.93 | 1.45 | 1.07 | 0.45 | 6.97 | 15.56* |
| Arc | 1.93 | 6.92 | 1.89 | 1.86 | 1.39 | 1.06 | 0.47 | 6.68 | 15.53* |
| WL 325HQ | 1.85 | 6.81 | 1.86 | 2.00 | 1.42 | 1.01 | 0.58 | 6.87 | 15.52* |
| Cimarron SR | 1.95 | 6.71 | 1.89 | 1.94 | 1.39 | 0.98 | 0.56 | 6.77 | 15.43* |
| WL 327 | 1.95 | 7.05 | 1.81 | 1.83 | 1.36 | 0.94 | 0.48 | 6.42 | 15.41* |
| Geneva | 1.85 | 6.96 | 1.89 | 1.87 | 1.40 | 0.99 | 0.44 | 6.58 | 15.40* |
| 53Q60 | 1.90 | 6.84 | 1.86 | 1.83 | 1.44 | 0.97 | 0.46 | 6.56 | 15.30* |
| Amerigraze401+z | 1.98 | 6.74 | 1.92 | 1.93 | 1.37 | 0.88 | 0.45 | 6.55 | 15.27* |
| 5246 | 1.89 | 6.75 | 1.90 | 1.85 | 1.37 | 1.05 | 0.45 | 6.61 | 15.25* |
| TMF4464 | 1.88 | 6.67 | 1.94 | 1.89 | 1.39 | 0.90 | 0.45 | 6.57 | 15.11* |
| DK141 | 1.85 | 6.89 | 1.75 | 1.77 | 1.34 | 1.02 | 0.43 | 6.32 | 15.07* |
| ABT350 | 1.78 | 6.67 | 1.88 | 1.91 | 1.34 | 0.98 | 0.42 | 6.53 | 14.99* |
| Reward | 1.93 | 6.49 | 1.83 | 1.88 | 1.32 | 1.06 | 0.47 | 6.56 | 14.98* |
| Experimental varieties - not available for farm use | |||||||||
| C416 | 1.83 | 7.05 | 1.88 | 1.93 | 1.36 | 1.12 | 0.35 | 6.64 | 15.52* |
| GA-AG-MPX | 1.89 | 6.85 | 1.86 | 1.89 | 1.33 | 1.03 | 0.45 | 6.56 | 15.30* |
| W318 | 1.90 | 6.69 | 1.80 | 1.92 | 1.37 | 0.99 | 0.51 | 6.58 | 15.16* |
| A9503 | 1.72 | 6.67 | 1.83 | 1.99 | 1.32 | 1.11 | 0.46 | 6.71 | 15.10* |
| W326 | 1.82 | 6.60 | 1.78 | 1.83 | 1.40 | 0.92 | 0.47 | 6.39 | 14.8* |
| Mean | 1.86 | 6.83 | 1.88 | 1.90 | 1.39 | 1.00 | 0.47 | 6.65 | 15.34 |
| CV,% | 12.42 | 6.89 | 11.43 | 8.20 | 10.48 | 18.21 | 20.31 | 7.54 | 5.80 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.66 | 0.30 | 0.22 | 0.21 | 0.26 | 0.14 | 0.71 | 1.26 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | |||||||||
| Table 10. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 26 April 2000 at Lexington, Kentucky. | |||||||
| Variety |
Total
2000 |
2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
2-yr
Total |
|||
| May 12 | Jun 20 | Aug 1 | Sep 28 | ||||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | |||||||
| 53H81 | 1.87 | 3.91 | 2.00 | 1.39 | 1.28 | 8.58 | 10.46* |
| Magnum V-wet | 1.64 | 3.39 | 2.03 | 1.64 | 1.57 | 8.63 | 10.28* |
| Triplecrown | 1.61 | 3.62 | 1.96 | 1.57 | 1.50 | 8.65 | 10.25* |
| Amerigraze 401+z | 1.70 | 3.52 | 1.96 | 1.58 | 1.48 | 8.53 | 10.24* |
| Arc | 1.80 | 3.61 | 1.80 | 1.50 | 1.44 | 8.35 | 10.15* |
| Magnum V | 1.62 | 3.39 | 1.96 | 1.56 | 1.51 | 8.41 | 10.03* |
| Rushmore | 1.75 | 3.43 | 1.85 | 1.44 | 1.44 | 8.16 | 9.91* |
| Geneva | 1.54 | 3.41 | 1.97 | 1.50 | 1.41 | 8.29 | 9.84* |
| Valueplus 1 | 1.47 | 3.54 | 1.98 | 1.44 | 1.42 | 8.37 | 9.83* |
| 5312 | 1.57 | 3.40 | 1.94 | 1.48 | 1.40 | 8.22 | 9.79* |
| Abilene+z | 1.62 | 3.39 | 1.88 | 1.48 | 1.41 | 8.15 | 9.77* |
| 54V54 | 1.49 | 3.48 | 1.82 | 1.49 | 1.28 | 8.08 | 9.57* |
| Saranac AR | 1.43 | 2.99 | 1.80 | 1.49 | 1.41 | 7.69 | 9.13 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | |||||||
| ZG 9840 | 1.69 | 3.86 | 1.94 | 1.51 | 1.44 | 8.76 | 10.45* |
| ZC 9854a | 1.58 | 3.75 | 2.00 | 1.58 | 1.39 | 8.72 | 10.30* |
| 4m74 | 1.52 | 3.31 | 2.00 | 1.60 | 1.54 | 8.46 | 9.98* |
| ZH9840h | 1.72 | 3.53 | 1.91 | 1.43 | 1.34 | 8.21 | 9.93* |
| Mean | 1.65 | 3.50 | 1.93 | 1.49 | 1.41 | 8.33 | 9.98 |
| CV,% | 12.38 | 10.58 | 5.97 | 7.25 | 8.66 | 6.15 | 6.44 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.29 | 0.53 | 0.16 | 0.15 | 0.17 | 0.72 | 0.91 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | |||||||
| Table 11. Dry matter yields (tons/acre) of alfalfa varieties sown 19 April 2001 at Lexington, Kentucky. | ||||
| Variety | 2001 Harvests | Total
2001 |
||
| Jul 18 | Aug 23 | Sep 30 | ||
| Commercial Varieties - Available for Farm Use | ||||
| Arc | 2.07 | 1.88 | 1.04 | 4.99 * |
| FK 421 | 2.05 | 1.87 | 1.03 | 4.95 * |
| Reward II | 2.12 | 1.82 | 0.97 | 4.91 * |
| Hybridforce-400 | 2.02 | 1.81 | 1.02 | 4.85 * |
| Triple Crown | 2.12 | 1.68 | 1.03 | 4.83 * |
| DK 140 | 2.07 | 1.78 | 0.96 | 4.80 * |
| Geneva | 2.01 | 1.79 | 0.96 | 4.76 * |
| Ameristand 403T | 2.04 | 1.76 | 0.90 | 4.70 * |
| 54V54 | 1.94 | 1.71 | 0.92 | 4.57 * |
| WL 342 | 1.84 | 1.78 | 0.92 | 4.53 |
| Saranac AR | 2.04 | 1.53 | 0.96 | 4.53 |
| Pegasus | 1.80 | 1.72 | 0.97 | 4.49 |
| Experimental Varieties - Not Available for Farm Use | ||||
| BY 421 | 2.23 | 1.97 | 1.05 | 5.25 * |
| SX1004A | 2.23 | 1.74 | 0.93 | 4.91 * |
| SX1005A | 2.16 | 1.77 | 0.96 | 4.90 * |
| SX1002A | 2.02 | 1.77 | 1.06 | 4.86 * |
| FG4M76 | 2.01 | 1.77 | 1.07 | 4.85 * |
| SX1003A | 1.99 | 1.70 | 1.03 | 4.71 * |
| SX1001A | 1.89 | 1.73 | 1.02 | 4.64 * |
| Mean | 2.03 | 1.76 | 1.00 | 4.79 |
| CV,% | 14.69 | 10.90 | 13.86 | 10.13 |
| LSD, 0.05 | 0.42 | 0.27 | 0.19 | 0.69 |
| * Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD. | ||||