alfalfa autotoxicity

Don-Wi · May 3, 2014

How old does the alfalfa have to get before it starts to be autotoxic? We've got a field we planted last year that just didn't seem to germinate very well and the seed company gave us a few bags to comp is for it, with intentions of showing in more last year.

That never happened and I'm wondering if it'd be a waste of time and fuel to seed more in now that it's been planted a year or if we could get away with it yet. We've got a lot of time and fuel invested already and I'd hate to waste more on a lost cause.

Donovan from Wisconsin

kevinecwi · May 3, 2014

We fixed patches after the first crop came off the first year after seeding, after that I wouldn't even try.

JMS/.MN · May 3, 2014

I think it would be a waste of seed. Maybe some timothy or other grass if the spots are real bare. Anything to keep the weeds from taking over.

Super Steve · May 3, 2014

I planted a field 2 years ago after the wheat came off. Wasn't enough moisture for all of it to germinate, all I did was replant the field with the grass box on the drill going 1/2 to 2/3s rate. By the time I took first cutting off last year, you would have no idea I replanted it.

Don-Wi · May 3, 2014

I went and looked at it with dad and we think we're gonna let it be. The population is a little thin, but it actually doesn't look as bad as we first thought. We've got done older fields that look much worse but with how slow and wet this spring is, we doubt we'll be able to plow any of it up quick enough to turn into corn yet.

Donovan from Wisconsin

valleview · May 3, 2014

You will probably have less than satisfactory results. Had some winterkill last year in a field that was planted only a couple of years ago. Put in some Cinnamon plus clover and a grass mix- the stand is thick and nice now. Should last a couple of years. Good luck--Rand

NY 986 · May 3, 2014

Totally bare areas you should be alright but otherwise I would not bother. Are there to be any grasses that need to be introduced to the field? If so I would run those on in a separate trip.

GordoSD · May 3, 2014

As others said, toss on some grass, Orchard works well at your latitude. It's a good cool season grass.

Larry NEIL · May 3, 2014

Hey Don, I did reseed some alfalfa but did it before the first cutting and worked out fine. No auto kill at all.

Determined · May 3, 2014

Regarding how old it is before autotoxicity becomes a problem.
Quoted from Ontario ministry of agriculture website;

"The toxins are not present the first year in new seedings, so seeding failures or new seeds that were winterkilled can be reseeded without an autotoxicity effect. This would include a summer seeding after an unsuccessful spring seeding, or a spring seeding after an unsuccessful summer seeding. "

I had a new stand wiped out by grasshoppers one year, reseeded the following spring and it took well.
Basically it is now or never if you want to try to thicken it up.

formenwhogrow · May 5, 2014

Red Clover and orchard grass work well for that.
I'd just as soon not risk wasting that expensive
alfalfa seed....

alfalfa autotoxicity

Don-Wi

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kevinecwi

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JMS/.MN

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Super Steve

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Don-Wi

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valleview

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NY 986

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GordoSD

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Larry NEIL

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Determined

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formenwhogrow

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