pr-727: 2017 alfalfa reportintroduction alfalfa (medicago sativa) has his-torically been the...
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University of KentuckyCollege of Agriculture,Food and EnvironmentAgricultural Experiment Station
Kentucky Tobacco Research and Development Center | Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory | Division of Regulatory Services | Research and Education CenterRobinson Forest | Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability | University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center | Equine Programs
Agricultural Experiment Station
PR-727
2017 Alfalfa ReportG.L. Olson and S.R. Smith, Plant and Soil Sciences
Introduction Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has his-torically been the highest-yielding, highest-quality forage legume grown in Kentucky. It is an important part of Kentucky’s cash hay enterprise and is an important component in dairy, horse, beef, and sheep diets. Choosing a good variety is a key step in establishing a stand of alfalfa. The choice of variety can impact yield, thickness of stand, and persistence. This report provides yield data on alfalfa varieties included in current yield trials in Kentucky as well as guidelines for selecting alfalfa varieties. Tables 14 and 15 (Roundup Ready varieties) shows
a summary of all alfalfa varieties tested in Kentucky during the past 16 years. The UK Forage Extension website, at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage, contains electronic versions of all forage variety testing re-ports from Kentucky and surrounding states as well as a large number of other forage publications.
Considerations in Selecting an Alfalfa Variety Local adaptation and persistence. High yields in variety tests over a range of years and locations are the best indication 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 (FD) rating that ranges from 1 (very dormant) to 9 (non-dor-mant). In general, varieties with lower dormancy ratings are more winter-hardy but are slower to initiate growth in the spring and show reduced fall growth. Therefore, fall dormancy can lead to reduced annual yields compared to less-dormant varieties. Generally, alfalfa varieties with FD ratings of 2 to 5 will show good winter survival in Kentucky. Varieties with ratings of 6 and above are usually not winter-hardy under Kentucky conditions. Many Kentucky producers have found that FD 4 varieties provide the best combination of yield and winter survival. In recent years some companies
Table 1. Temperature and rainfall at Lexington, Kentucky, in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 20172
Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall°F DEP1 IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP
JAN 38 +7 4.80 +1.94 38 +7 4.50 +1.64 25 -6 2.28 -.58 32 +1 2.17 -0.69 32 +1 0.80 -2.06 40 +9 6.81 +3.95FEB 40 +5 5.39 +2.18 36 +1 1.78 -1.43 30 -5 5.47 +2.26 26 -9 3.08 -0.13 38 +3 6.09 +2.88 47 +12 4.46 +1.25MAR 56 +12 5.64 +1.24 39 -5 5.47 +1.07 39 -5 3.08 -1.32 45 +1 7.34 +2.94 52 +8 4.07 -0.33 48 +4 3.34 -1.06APR 56 +1 3.26 -0.62 55 0 4.46 +0.58 58 +3 5.27 -1.89 57 +2 13.19 +9.31 57 +2 3.97 +0.09 62 +7 4.17 +0.29MAY 69 +5 4.02 -0.45 65 +1 5.23 +.076 66 +2 5.72 +1.25 69 +5 3.02 -1.45 64 0 9.17 +4.70 66 +2 7.74 +3.27JUN 73 +1 2.42 -1.24 72 0 7.32 +3.66 75 +3 2.93 -0.73 75 +3 8.20 +4.54 76 +4 5.09 +1.43 73 +1 7.68 +4.02JUL 81 +5 2.50 -2.50 72 -4 9.33 +4.33 74 -2 3.18 -1.82 77 +1 10.22 +5.22 79 +3 7.43 +2.43 76 0 4.49 -0.51AUG 75 0 1.68 -2.25 72 -3 3.68 -0.25 76 +1 6.53 +2.60 74 -1 3.49 -0.44 79 +4 4.37 +0.44 74 -1 6.66 +2.73SEP 67 -1 6.40 +3.20 67 -1 2.21 -0.99 69 +1 3.63 +.43 72 +4 3.49 +0.29 74 +6 2.18 -1.02 69 +1 4.72 +1.52OCT 55 -2 2.00 -0.57 55 -2 7.02 +4.45 57 0 5.55 +2.98 59 +2 2.78 +0.21 64 +7 0.37 -2.20 60 +3 6.06 +3.49NOV 43 -2 1.81 -0.65 41 -4 3.06 -0.33 41 -4 2.79 -0.60 51 +6 3.72 +0.33 51 +6 1.94 -1.45DEC 42 +6 9.57 +4.94 36 0 4.19 +0.21 40 +4 2.47 -1.51 49 +13 8.42 +4.44 37 +1 9.4 +5.42Total 49.49 +4.94 58.25 +13.70 49.4 +4.85 69.12 +24.57 54.88 +10.33 56.13 +18.951 DEP is departure from the long-term average.2 2017 data is for ten months through October.
Table 2. Temperature and rainfall at Princeton, Kentucky, in 2015, 2016, and 2017.2015 2016 20172
Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall Temp Rainfall°F DEP1 IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP °F DEP IN DEP
JAN 34 0 1.51 -2.29 35 +1 1.37 -2.43 43 +9 3.18 -0.62FEB 28 -10 4.16 -0.27 40 +2 4.23 -0.20 49 +11 1.78 -2.65MAR 46 -1 6.83 +1.89 53 +6 7.3 +2.36 50 +3 4.09 -0.85APR 60 +1 7.38 +2.58 59 0 4.41 -0.39 63 +4 4.28 -0.52MAY 68 +1 3.52 -1.44 64 -3 6.21 +1.25 67 0 4.43 -0.53JUN 76 +1 2.85 -1.00 77 +2 2.18 -1.67 74 -1 5.39 +1.54JUL 79 +1 8.83 +4.54 80 +2 12.72 +8.43 78 0 2.23 -2.06AUG 73 -4 2.90 -1.11 78 +2 5.37 +1.36 75 -2 1.39 -2.62SEP 71 0 0.82 -2.51 73 +2 1.33 -2.00 71 0 3.93 +0.60OCT 60 +1 4.15 +1.10 65 +6 0.25 -2.80 61 +2 6.65 +3.60NOV 53 +6 5.95 +1.32 52 +5 2.86 -1.77DEC 49 +10 6.37 +1.33 38 -1 6.51 +1.47Total 55.27 +4.14 54.74 +3.61 38.35 -4.111 DEP is departure from the long-term average.2 2017 data is for ten months through October.
2
also have begun to report a winter survival index (WS) that ranges from 1 to 6. Varieties with a WS of 1 show superior winter survival, and varieties with a WS of 6 are not winter-hardy. Disease and pest resistance. In Kentucky, producers should use varieties that are resistant (R) to aphanomyces root rot (APH), phytophthora root rot (PRR), and anthrac-nose (AN) and have at least a moderate resistance (MR) to bacterial wilt (Bw) and fusarium wilt (Fw). Kentucky research indicates that aphanomyces root rot is a wide-spread problem in the state during stand establishment and resistance is beneficial, particularly in soils also in-fested 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 as-sociated 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 togeth-er they may form a root disease complex. Aphanomyces root rot is known to affect new seedings in Kentucky, but it is 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 susceptible to this disease. Ideally, choose a variety that has resistance to Aphanomyces root rot Race 1 and Race 2. Certain alfalfa varieties are reported to have resistance to sclerotinia crown and stem rot; however, research at the University of Kentucky has shown that some of these varieties have only limited resistance when conditions are ideal for disease development. Therefore, the best prevention against sclerotinia is to plant by mid-August if fall seeding or plant in the spring. Seed quality. Buy premium-quality seed that is high in germination and purity and free from weed seed. Buy
Tabl
e 3.
Dry
mat
ter y
ield
s, se
edlin
g vi
gor,
and
stan
d pe
rsis
tenc
e of
alfa
lfa v
arie
ties s
own
Sept
embe
r 14,
201
1, a
t Lex
ingt
on, K
entu
cky.
Varie
tyFD
1
Seed
ling
Vigo
r2
Oct
11,
20
11
Perc
ent S
tand
Yiel
d (t
ons/
acre
)20
1120
1220
1320
1420
1520
1620
1720
1220
1320
1420
1520
1620
176-
year
Tota
lO
ct11
Mar
21
Oct
12
Mar
20
Sep
26Ap
r 1O
ct 6
Apr 2
Oct
15
Mar
18
Sep
27Fe
b 23
Sep
26To
tal
Tota
lTo
tal
Tota
lTo
tal
May
2Ju
n 6
Jul 8
Aug
8Se
p 15
Tota
lCo
mm
erci
al V
arie
ties-
Avai
labl
e fo
r Far
m U
se64
22Q
44.
510
010
010
010
010
010
010
097
9797
9391
923.
788.
856.
216.
316.
621.
661.
751.
440.
930.
636.
4338
.19*
Trip
leTr
ust 5
005
3.9
100
100
100
100
100
9798
9597
9490
9090
3.94
8.56
5.90
5.88
6.59
1.52
1.71
1.17
1.05
0.68
6.13
37.0
0*Re
boun
d 6.
04
4.9
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
9898
9891
9191
3.60
8.59
5.91
5.54
6.10
1.49
1.35
1.24
0.84
0.66
5.57
35.6
1*W
L 36
3HQ
54.
410
010
010
010
010
099
9995
9594
8989
893.
928.
265.
635.
585.
761.
551.
531.
251.
050.
636.
0135
.16*
55V4
85
4.6
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
9999
9891
9087
3.70
8.49
5.83
5.82
5.40
1.68
1.52
1.10
0.80
0.64
5.74
34.9
7*Am
erist
and
403T
44.
010
010
099
100
100
9997
9797
9791
9292
3.80
7.85
5.75
5.79
5.68
1.55
1.59
1.34
0.83
0.73
6.05
34.9
1*Ki
ngfis
her 4
020
43.
810
010
099
100
100
9897
9595
9488
8686
3.72
8.30
5.72
5.59
5.72
1.50
1.54
1.17
0.73
0.61
5.55
34.6
0*54
Q32
44.
110
010
010
010
010
010
099
9797
9692
9192
3.47
7.90
5.38
5.50
5.98
1.24
1.42
1.41
0.63
0.74
5.45
33.6
953
H92
34.
110
010
010
010
010
099
9996
9694
8889
843.
457.
835.
295.
655.
341.
481.
510.
880.
690.
465.
0232
.58
Arc
(cer
tified
)4
4.5
100
100
100
100
9796
9392
9190
8578
783.
737.
135.
255.
025.
231.
611.
401.
120.
740.
635.
5031
.86
Sara
nac
AR
(cer
tified
)4
4.0
100
100
100
100
9796
9392
9291
8478
713.
617.
425.
405.
254.
641.
511.
381.
040.
480.
404.
8031
.12
Buffa
lo–
4.8
100
100
100
100
9595
8483
8485
8170
763.
256.
965.
274.
545.
271.
571.
131.
100.
750.
475.
0330
.32
Mea
n4.
310
010
010
010
099
9896
9595
9488
8686
3.66
8.01
5.62
5.54
5.69
1.53
1.49
1.19
0.79
0.61
5.61
34.1
4CV
,%13
.50
01
11
12
22
24
58
10.9
74.
879.
9910
.79
13.7
916
.27
22.4
822
.29
34.4
628
.08
12.8
97.
65LS
D,0.
050.
80
01
12
23
33
35
69
0.58
0.56
0.81
0.86
1.13
0.36
0.48
0.38
0.39
0.24
1.04
3.76
1 FD
=Fal
l Dor
man
cy2
Vigo
r sco
re b
ased
on
a sc
ale
of 1
to 5
with
5 b
eing
the
mos
t vig
orou
s see
dlin
g gr
owth
.*N
ot si
gnifi
cant
ly d
iffer
ent f
rom
the
high
est n
umer
ical
val
ue in
the
colu
mn,
bas
ed o
n th
e 0.
05 L
SD.
3
Tabl
e 4.
Dry
mat
ter y
ield
s, se
edlin
g vi
gor,
and
stan
d pe
rsis
tenc
e of
alfa
lfa v
arie
ties s
own
Augu
st 9
, 201
2, a
t Lex
ingt
on, K
entu
cky.
Varie
tyFD
1
Seed
ling
Vigo
r2
Sep
27,
2012
Perc
ent S
tand
Yiel
d (t
ons/
acre
)20
1220
1320
1420
1520
1620
1720
1320
1420
1520
1620
175-
year
Tota
lSe
p 27
Mar
20
Sep
26Ap
r 1O
ct 6
Apr 2
Oct
15
Mar
18
Sep
27Fe
b 23
Sep
26To
tal
Tota
lTo
tal
Tota
lM
ay 2
Jun
6 Ju
l 8Au
g 8
Sep
15To
tal
Com
mer
cial
Var
ietie
s-Av
aila
ble
for F
arm
Use
55V5
05
5.0
100
100
100
100
100
9999
9892
9189
8.65
6.48
6.84
6.96
1.88
1.51
1.18
0.61
0.65
5.82
34.7
5*Ph
oeni
x5
4.8
9899
9795
9795
9594
9186
878.
586.
276.
286.
041.
781.
600.
681.
130.
785.
9733
.14*
4030
44.
599
100
9998
9996
9796
8685
858.
205.
966.
205.
841.
941.
570.
980.
720.
856.
0732
.28*
Bulld
og-5
055
5.0
100
100
9998
9897
9796
9291
918.
006.
245.
786.
241.
761.
290.
980.
950.
735.
7231
.98*
Radi
ance
HD
44.
599
100
100
9897
9495
9386
8583
8.28
6.32
5.95
5.85
1.59
1.32
0.95
0.78
0.64
5.27
31.6
8*Ca
liber
44.
398
100
100
9999
9795
9688
8687
8.14
5.92
5.96
5.62
1.74
1.28
1.02
0.86
0.66
5.56
31.1
9*Ev
erm
ore
54.
810
010
010
010
010
098
9796
8989
888.
305.
925.
336.
061.
681.
280.
880.
830.
805.
4731
.07*
Sara
nac
AR (c
ertifi
ed)
44.
810
010
096
9696
9394
9383
8471
7.86
5.83
5.82
5.97
1.47
1.42
0.96
0.76
0.52
5.13
30.6
1W
ithst
and
44.
810
010
010
098
9896
9694
8484
847.
846.
075.
345.
591.
911.
320.
700.
700.
515.
1529
.99
Amer
istan
d 40
3T4
5.0
100
100
100
9898
9897
9691
9089
8.04
5.94
5.39
4.87
1.68
1.53
1.00
0.62
0.53
5.37
29.6
0Ar
c (c
ertifi
ed)
44.
910
010
096
9495
9192
9081
7971
7.40
5.68
5.49
5.33
1.48
1.27
0.98
0.58
0.63
4.95
28.8
5Ex
perim
enta
l Var
ietie
sCW
085
028
55.
010
010
010
010
010
099
9898
9189
908.
046.
476.
216.
531.
851.
391.
310.
740.
515.
8133
.05*
CW 0
6503
05
4.8
100
100
100
100
100
9898
9791
9091
7.81
6.37
6.08
6.37
1.54
1.51
0.93
1.06
0.80
5.85
32.4
7*GA
-ALF
G-1
–5.
010
099
9797
9695
9595
8886
767.
215.
635.
655.
931.
450.
890.
990.
560.
494.
3828
.80
Mea
n4.
899
100
9998
9896
9696
8887
848.
026.
085.
885.
941.
701.
370.
970.
780.
655.
4731
.39
CV,%
6.2
11
22
23
23
46
97.
468.
3811
.27
14.2
616
.86
28.2
130
.36
34.6
836
.17
16.2
88.
57LS
D,0.
050.
42
13
23
43
35
711
0.86
0.73
0.95
1.21
0.41
0.55
0.42
0.39
0.34
1.27
3.85
1 FD
=Fal
l dor
man
cy2
Vigo
r sco
re b
ased
on
a sc
ale
of 1
to 5
with
5 b
eing
the
mos
t vig
orou
s see
dlin
g gr
owth
.*N
ot si
gnifi
cant
ly d
iffer
ent f
rom
the
high
est n
umer
ical
val
ue in
the
colu
mn,
bas
ed o
n th
e 0.
05 L
SD.
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 the percentage of other crop and weed seed. Order seed well in advance of planting time to assure it will be available when needed.
Description of the Tests Alfalfa variety tests were established at Lexington (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2017) and Princeton (2015) as part of the forage variety testing program. The soils are well suited to alfalfa because they are generally well drained silt loam soils (Maury and Crider at Lexington and Princeton respectively). Plots were 5 feet by 20 feet in a randomized complete block design with four replications with a harvested plot area of 5 feet by 15 feet. 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 seeding year were delayed to allow alfalfa to reach maturity, 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-age of dry matter production. Management of all tests for establishment, fertility (P, K, Boron, and lime based on regular soil tests), pest control, and harvest manage-ment was according to Kentucky Cooperative Extension recommendations. Pests (weeds and insects) were con-trolled so that they would not limit yield or persistence. Roundup was applied for weed control in the Roundup Ready trials.
Results and Discussion Weather data for Lexington and Princeton are pre-sented in tables 1 and 2. Yield data (on a dry matter basis) for all tests are reported in tables 3 through 11. Stated yields are adjusted for percentage of weeds; therefore, the value listed is for the crop only. 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 date for 2017 and as total an-nual production. Statistical analyses were performed on all alfalfa yield data (including experimentals) to determine if the apparent differences are 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 statistically different, compare the dif-ference between the two varieties to the Least Significant Difference (LSD) at the bottom of the column. If the dif-ference is equal to or greater than the LSD, the varieties are truly different when grown under the conditions
4
Tabl
e 5.
Dry
mat
ter y
ield
s, se
edlin
g vi
gor,
and
stan
d pe
rsis
tenc
e of
Rou
ndup
Rea
dy a
lfalfa
var
ietie
s sow
n Au
gust
9, 2
012,
at L
exin
gton
, Ken
tuck
y.1
Varie
tyFD
2
Seed
ling
Vigo
r3
Sep
27,
2012
Perc
ent S
tand
Yiel
d (t
ons/
acre
)20
1220
1320
1420
1520
1620
1720
1320
1420
1520
1620
175-
year
Tota
lSe
p 27
Mar
20
Sep
26Ap
r 1O
ct 6
Apr 2
Oct
15
Mar
18
Sep
28Fe
b 23
Sep
26To
tal
Tota
lTo
tal
Tota
lM
ay 2
Jun
6Ju
l 8Au
g 8
Sep
15To
tal
Com
mer
cial
Var
ietie
s-Av
aila
ble
for F
arm
Use
6516
R RR
54.
899
9999
9897
9696
9489
8886
5.87
6.21
5.95
6.95
1.63
1.54
1.29
0.91
0.49
5.86
30.8
5*To
nnic
a RR
54.
610
010
010
097
9694
9593
8986
866.
376.
055.
786.
801.
641.
701.
070.
870.
535.
8130
.81*
DKA
44-1
6 RR
44.
599
100
100
9910
099
9995
9189
915.
905.
616.
136.
331.
781.
761.
210.
830.
916.
4830
.44*
Amer
istan
d 45
5TQ
RR
44.
110
010
010
099
9999
9998
9391
915.
615.
336.
286.
541.
441.
771.
231.
030.
816.
2930
.05*
WL
372H
Q R
R5
4.1
100
100
100
9899
9897
9688
8687
5.92
5.88
5.90
6.19
1.59
1.42
1.18
0.99
0.61
5.79
29.6
9*Ap
haTr
on R
R4
4.3
100
100
100
9998
9697
9588
8690
5.66
5.50
5.88
6.08
1.64
1.51
1.05
1.08
0.61
5.89
29.0
1*W
L 35
5 RR
43.
999
100
100
9799
9797
9488
8988
5.46
5.54
5.87
6.44
1.73
1.41
1.13
0.90
0.50
5.67
28.9
8*W
L 35
6HQ
RR
44.
110
010
010
097
9795
9594
8887
835.
505.
175.
606.
461.
691.
681.
040.
990.
756.
1528
.87*
Cons
isten
cy 4
.10
RR4
4.1
9898
9897
9896
9795
9089
885.
625.
256.
036.
001.
491.
601.
170.
940.
745.
9428
.84*
DKA
41-1
8 RR
44.
198
9999
9597
9697
9687
8486
5.45
5.41
6.09
5.71
1.71
1.43
1.04
1.08
0.80
6.05
28.7
1*St
ratic
a RR
43.
694
9595
9196
9394
8679
7879
6.10
5.64
5.63
5.65
1.39
1.27
1.05
0.93
0.86
5.50
28.5
2*Am
erist
and
405T
RR
44.
510
010
010
099
9895
9492
8684
835.
925.
155.
706.
021.
521.
480.
961.
090.
655.
7028
.49*
54R0
2 RR
44.
594
9697
9797
9696
9491
8585
5.45
5.46
5.85
6.01
1.55
1.30
1.16
0.88
0.69
5.57
28.3
5Al
fagr
aze
300
RR3
3.6
9798
9896
9797
9694
9088
864.
894.
926.
075.
761.
531.
191.
131.
000.
655.
4927
.13
Amer
istan
d 43
3T R
R3
3.4
9294
9391
9290
9089
8380
805.
275.
185.
975.
261.
291.
390.
810.
610.
614.
7226
.39
Mea
n4.
298
9898
9697
9696
9488
8686
5.67
5.48
5.92
6.15
1.59
1.50
1.10
0.94
0.68
5.80
29.0
1CV
,%14
.92
22
22
22
46
56
10.0
310
.37
8.37
12.4
213
.67
21.0
627
.64
27.4
330
.75
9.85
5.84
LSD,
0.05
0.9
32
23
23
35
76
70.
810.
810.
711.
090.
310.
450.
430.
370.
300.
812.
411
This
tria
l was
spra
yed
with
Rou
ndup
onc
e in
201
2 an
d 20
13, t
wic
e in
201
4, o
nce
in 2
015,
twic
e in
201
6, a
nd o
nce
in 2
017.
2 FD
=Fal
l Dor
man
cy.
3 Vi
gor s
core
bas
ed o
n a
scal
e of
1 to
5 w
ith 5
bei
ng th
e m
ost v
igor
ous s
eedl
ing
grow
th.
*Not
sign
ifica
ntly
diff
eren
t fro
m th
e hi
ghes
t num
eric
al v
alue
in th
e co
lum
n, b
ased
on
the
0.05
LSD
.
at a given location. The Coefficient of Variation (CV), a measure of the variability of the data, is included for each column of means. Low variability is desirable; increased variability within a study results in higher CVs and larger LSDs. Tables 12 and 13 (Roundup Ready varieties) summa-rize information about fall dormancy, disease resistance, and yield performance across years and locations for all the varieties 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; com-mercial varieties can be purchased through dealerships. In tables 12 and 13, open blocks indicate the variety was not in that particular test (labeled at the top of the column); an "x" means the variety was in the test but yielded signifi-cantly less than the top-yielding variety. A single asterisk (*) means the variety was not significantly different from the top-yielding variety based on the 0.05 LSD. It is best to choose a variety that has performed well over several years and locations as indicated by the asterisks. Tables 14 and 15 (Roundup Ready varieties) are sum-maries of yield data from 2000 to 2017 of commercial varieties that have been entered in the Kentucky trials. The data is listed as a percentage of the mean of the com-mercial varieties entered in each specific trial. In other words, the mean for each trial is 100 percent—varieties with percentages over 100 yielded better than average, and varieties with percentages less than 100 yielded lower than average. Direct statistical comparisons of varieties cannot be made using the summary tables 14 and 15, but these comparisons do help to identify varieties for further consideration. Varieties that have performed better than average over many years and at several locations have stable performance; others may have performed well in wet years or on particular soil types. See footnotes in tables 14 and 15 to determine which yearly report should be referenced.
Summary Consistent production of high yields of alfalfa is the result of good variety selection along with the implemen-tation of good management techniques. For further infor-mation about alfalfa management, refer to the following College of Agriculture publications, available at the local county Extension office or in the “Publications” section of the UK Forage website, at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
y Alfalfa: The Queen of the Forage Crops (AGR-76) y Establishing Forage Crops (AGR-64) y Inoculation of Forage Legumes (AGR-90) y Grain and Forage Crop Guide for Kentucky (AGR-18) y Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations (AGR-1) y Weed Control Strategies for Alfalfa and Other Forage
Legume Crops (AGR-148) y Insect Management Recommendations for Field Crops
and Livestock (ENT-17) y Alfalfa Hay: Quality Makes the Difference (AGR-137)
5
Table 6. Dry matter yields and stand persistence of alfalfa varieties sown March 31, 2015, at Lexington, Kentucky.
Variety FD1
Percent Stand Yield (tons/acre)2015 2016 2017 2015
Total2016Total
2017 3-yearTotalJun 12 Oct 15 Mar 18 Sep 27 Feb 23 Sep 26 May 2 Jun 6 Jul 8 Aug 8 Sep 14 Total
Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm UseAmeristand 427TQ 4 99 98 97 92 91 91 1.71 6.36 1.58 1.82 1.66 1.03 0.74 6.82 14.89*Caliber 4 95 97 97 94 93 93 2.08 7.02 1.61 1.16 1.03 0.93 0.59 5.31 14.42*Ameristand 403T Plus 4 89 95 95 92 90 89 1.47 6.87 1.58 1.63 1.15 0.92 0.55 5.84 14.18*Fierce 4 92 94 94 89 85 85 1.97 6.40 1.65 1.36 1.15 0.82 0.69 5.67 14.04*FSG-426 4 95 97 97 94 92 94 2.01 6.10 1.52 1.85 1.12 0.76 0.66 5.91 14.02*Contender 5 95 96 96 91 92 90 1.77 5.76 1.72 1.64 1.17 0.80 0.76 6.09 13.61*Saranac AR (certified) 4 81 88 89 89 86 84 1.23 6.21 1.78 1.54 1.18 0.86 0.53 5.89 13.32Buffalo – 96 95 94 89 86 81 1.36 6.25 1.59 1.28 0.89 0.65 0.40 4.82 12.43
Mean 92 95 95 91 88 88 1.70 6.37 1.63 1.54 1.17 0.85 0.61 5.79 13.86CV,% 8 5 5 4 4 5 20.84 12.22 11.29 23.48 19.10 20.36 37.32 8.05 7.15LSD,0.05 11 7 7 6 6 7 0.52 1.15 0.27 0.52 0.33 0.31 0.34 0.67 1.461 FD=Fall Dormancy*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
Table 7. Dry matter yields and stand persistence of Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties sown March 31, 2015, at Lexington, Kentucky.1
Variety FD2
Percent Stand Yield (tons/acre)2015 2016 2017 2015
Total2016Total
2017 3-yearTotalJun 12 Oct 15 Mar 18 Sep 27 Feb 23 Sep 26 May 2 Jun 6 Jul 8 Aug 8 Sep 14 Total
Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm Use54R02 RR 4 99 99 98 96 95 95 2.61 7.49 1.63 1.71 1.34 1.06 0.81 6.56 16.66*55VR08 RR 5 100 100 100 98 97 97 2.42 6.92 1.68 1.77 1.54 1.33 0.79 7.11 16.44*Ameristand 405T RR 4 99 99 99 97 96 96 2.21 6.87 1.50 1.87 1.55 1.02 0.95 6.91 15.98*Alfagraze 600 RR 6 99 100 98 95 94 95 2.67 6.55 1.34 1.70 1.19 1.22 0.80 6.25 15.47*Ameristand 455TQ RR 4 99 98 99 98 96 97 2.06 6.62 1.39 1.98 1.45 1.25 0.68 6.75 15.43*WL 356HQ RR 4 97 98 98 96 96 96 1.79 7.10 1.54 1.73 1.20 1.02 0.77 6.26 15.15*Ameristand 433T RR 3 98 99 99 95 94 95 2.13 6.57 1.44 1.67 1.41 0.94 0.63 6.09 14.79*Alfagraze 300 RR 3 98 99 99 97 96 96 1.64 6.05 1.75 1.70 1.44 1.18 0.74 6.81 14.50*428 RR 4 97 97 98 96 95 96 1.79 6.35 1.19 1.73 1.35 1.08 0.73 6.08 14.22*55V06 RR 5 99 99 99 97 96 96 1.61 5.92 1.41 1.60 1.34 1.15 0.70 6.19 13.71*
Mean 98 99 99 96 95 96 2.09 6.64 1.49 1.75 1.38 1.13 0.76 6.50 15.23CV,% 2 2 2 2 2 2 30.03 15.77 20.93 18.14 16.72 25.45 33.39 12.59 14.42LSD,0.05 3 2 2 3 2 2 0.91 1.52 0.45 0.46 0.34 0.42 0.37 1.19 3.191 This trial was sprayed with Roundup once in 2015, twice in 2016 and once in 2017.2 FD=Fall Dormancy.*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
y "Emergency" Inoculation for Poorly Nodulated Legumes (PPFS-AG-F-04) y Common Alfalfa Seedling Diseases and Disorders (PPFS-AG-F-03) y Managing Diseases of Alfalfa (PPFS-AG-F-09) y Managing Legume-Induced Bloat in Cattle (ID-186) y Growing Alfalfa in the South, a publication of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance: www.alfalfa.org/pdf/alfalfainthesouth.pdf y Alfalfa Management Guide: www.crops.org/files/publications/alfalfa-management-guide.pdf y Alfalfa Analyst (ID guide to alfalfa disease and insect damage and soil fertility deficiencies): www.alfalfa.org/pdf/AlfalfaAnalyst.pdf y Alfalfa Variety Ratings, Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties: www.alfalfa.org/
varietyLeaflet.php
About the Authors G.L. Olson is a research specialist, S.R. Smith is an Extension professor, and C.D.Teutsch is an associate Extension professor in Forages.
6
Table 9. Dry matter yields and stand persistence of Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties sown April 5, 2016, at Lexington, Kentucky.
Variety FD1
Percent Stand Yield (tons/acre)2
2016 2017 2017Jun 16 Sep 27 Feb 23 Sep 26 May 2 Jun 6 Jul 8 Aug 8 Sep 14 Total
Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm Use55VRO8 RR 5 99 94 94 94 2.06 2.03 1.41 1.38 0.85 7.73Stratica RR 4 96 94 94 95 1.96 1.82 1.69 1.25 0.80 7.53Ameristand 433T RR 3 97 93 92 95 2.09 1.91 1.65 1.08 0.66 7.38Alfagraze 300 RR 3 99 99 98 98 1.93 1.70 1.74 1.18 0.77 7.32428 RR 4 98 86 86 87 1.87 1.83 1.52 1.21 0.63 7.0654RO2 RR 4 96 92 92 92 2.01 1.77 1.50 1.11 0.66 7.05Ameristand 405T RR 4 94 88 89 89 2.04 1.66 1.47 0.93 0.44 6.53
Mean 97 92 92 93 2.00 1.83 1.58 1.15 0.68 7.25CV,% 3 9 9 8 11.37 14.27 12.73 24.15 27.84 9.39LSD,0.05 4 12 11 10 0.32 0.37 0.28 0.39 0.27 0.961 FD=Fall Dormancy.2 Due to slow establishment and high CV, the 2016 yield is not included in this table.*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
Table 8. Dry matter yields and stand persistence of alfalfa varieties sown April 5, 2016, at Lexington, Kentucky.
Variety FD1
Percent Stand Yield (tons/acre)2016 2017 2016
Total2017 2-year
TotalJun 16 Sep 27 Feb 23 Sep 26 May 2 Jun 6 Jul 8 Aug 8 Sep 15 TotalCommercial Varieties-Available for Farm UseAmeristand 403T Plus 4 97 93 91 92 2.31 2.17 1.99 1.37 1.25 0.90 7.69 10.00*FSG 415BR 4 92 89 91 91 2.26 2.02 1.75 1.67 1.13 1.10 7.68 9.94*Contender 5 96 94 93 94 1.90 2.04 1.82 1.62 1.21 1.06 7.74 9.64*GA-497HD 5 97 97 96 96 2.14 1.95 1.88 1.67 1.15 0.85 7.50 9.64*Rebound 6XT 4 96 94 93 94 2.04 1.85 1.85 1.51 1.18 0.91 7.30 9.34*Caliber 4 96 95 94 95 1.88 1.71 2.05 1.57 1.10 0.97 7.39 9.27*WL 365HQ 5 98 95 94 95 2.10 1.92 1.83 1.23 1.13 0.96 7.07 9.17*Evermore 5 97 97 96 96 2.20 2.03 1.52 1.49 1.07 0.83 6.95 9.15*Bulldog 505 5 93 91 90 90 1.46 2.07 1.70 1.43 1.26 1.15 7.62 9.07*Saranac AR (certified) 4 94 92 91 91 1.84 1.88 1.59 1.43 0.96 1.03 6.90 8.74*Experimental VarietiesAFX095026 4 92 91 90 92 1.96 1.95 1.79 1.66 1.30 1.07 7.77 9.73*AM-14-900 4 93 92 92 95 1.97 2.08 1.87 1.46 1.24 1.03 7.68 9.64*AM-09-600 4 95 94 94 94 1.60 1.92 1.92 1.72 1.20 0.97 7.73 9.33*AFX095005 5 95 93 92 94 1.66 1.88 1.55 1.28 1.48 1.22 7.42 9.08*LS 905 4 95 95 96 96 1.79 1.79 1.68 1.43 1.12 0.91 6.93 8.72*NF11ALF006 6 95 93 91 92 1.38 1.54 1.18 1.12 1.16 0.65 5.65 7.03
Mean 95 93 93 94 1.91 1.93 1.75 1.48 1.18 0.98 7.31 9.22CV,% 4 4 4 3 21.81 17.11 19.44 17.24 22.51 24.66 11.89 10.99LSD,0.05 5 6 5 4 0.59 0.47 0.48 0.36 0.38 0.34 1.24 1.441 FD=Fall Dormancy*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
7
Table 10. Dry matter yields and stand persistence of alfalfa varieties sown April 5, 2017, at Lexington, Kentucky.
Variety FD1
Percent Stand Yield (tons/acre)
2017Sep 26 Jul 8 Aug 17 Sep 14 Total
Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm UseAmeristand 403TPlus 4 96 0.92 0.70 0.65 2.27*Contender 5 94 0.76 0.70 0.64 2.10*Caliber 4 95 0.80 0.52 0.67 2.00*Evermore 5 93 0.62 0.84 0.50 1.96*Fierce 4 96 0.76 0.60 0.53 1.89*Saranac AR (certified) 4 87 0.64 0.65 0.54 1.83*Bulldog 505 5 92 0.57 0.63 0.46 1.66*Experimental VarietiesNF11ALF006 6 93 0.55 0.61 0.50 1.65*
Mean 93 0.70 0.66 0.56 1.92CV,% 5 32.23 28.73 28.47 24.18LSD,0.05 7 0.33 0.28 0.23 0.681 FD=Fall Dormancy.*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
Table 11. Dry matter yields, seedling vigor, and stand persistence of Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties sown August 25, 2015, at Princeton, Kentucky.1
Variety FD2
SeedlingVigor3
Oct 23, 2015
Percent Stand2015 2016 2017 2016 2017
2-yearTotalOct 23 Mar 22 Sep 23 Mar 16 Oct 25 Total May 9 Jun 12 Jul 11 Aug 14 Sep 21 Total
Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm UseWL 355 RR 4 3.5 100 100 98 95 90 8.50 1.02 1.59 1.22 1.01 0.62 5.47 13.97*55VR08 RR 5 4.5 100 100 100 95 96 8.95 0.96 1.52 1.11 0.70 0.63 4.92 13.87*54R02 RR 4 4.5 100 100 100 92 82 8.12 1.02 1.52 1.07 0.70 0.50 4.80 12.92*DKA41-18 RR 4 3.6 100 100 99 88 87 8.16 0.92 1.40 1.12 0.61 0.38 4.43 12.60*Ameristand 405T RR 4 3.8 100 100 100 91 85 8.32 0.69 1.24 1.12 0.57 0.50 4.12 12.44*Ameristand 433T RR 3 4.5 100 100 99 90 87 7.75 0.75 1.38 0.83 0.65 0.69 4.37 12.13Alfagraze 300 RR 3 4.0 100 100 98 76 79 7.73 0.63 1.42 0.94 0.75 0.41 3.99 11.76Alfagraze 600 RR 6 5.0 100 100 97 80 75 6.89 0.49 1.30 0.77 0.64 0.61 3.82 10.70
Mean 4.2 100 100 99 89 85 8.05 0.82 1.42 1.03 0.71 0.54 4.53 12.65CV,% 11.9 0 0 2 12 18 7.34 32.14 18.85 22.25 26.29 40.41 16.37 8.95LSD,0.05 0.7 0 0 3 16 25 0.87 0.40 0.40 0.35 0.28 0.34 1.17 1.791 This trial was sprayed with Roundup twice in 2016 and once in 2017.2 FD=Fall Dormancy.3 Vigor score based on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most vigorous seedling growth.*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.
8
Table 12. Characterization and performance of alfalfa varieties across years and locations in Kentucky.
Variety Proprietor
Variety Characteristics1 Lexington
FD4Disease Resisance2 20113 2012 2015 2016 2017
Bw Fw An PRR APH 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 16 17 17Commercial Varieties-Available for Farm Use4030 Brett Young 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * *53H92 Pioneer Hi-Bred 3 HR HR HR HR HR * x5 x * x x54Q32 Pioneer Hi-Bred 4 HR HR HR HR R * x x x * *55V48 Pioneer Hi-Bred 5 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * x *55V50 Pioneer Hi-Bred 5 HR R HR HR HR * * * * *Ameristand 403T America's Alfalfa 4 HR HR HR HR HR * x * * * * * * x x *Ameristand 403TPlus
America's Alfalfa 4 HR HR HR HR HR x * x * * *
Ameristand 427TQ America's Alfalfa 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * *Arc (certified) Public 4 LR MR HR - - * x x x x * x x x x *Buffalo Public - - - - - - x x x x x x x * xBulldog-505 Univ. of Georgia 5 - HR - R - * * x * * x * *Caliber Beck's Hybrids 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * * x * * * x * * *Contender Beck's Hybrids 5 HR HR HR HR HR * x x * * *Evermore Allied Seed, LLC 5 HR HR HR HR HR * * x * * * * *Fierce Beck's Hybrids 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * x *FSG 415BR Farm Science Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR * *FSG 426 Farm Science Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * xGA-497HD Legacy Seeds, Inc. 5 HR HR HR HR HR * *KingFisher 4020 Legacy Seeds, Inc. 4 HR HR HR HR HR * x * * * *Phoenix Southern States 5 HR HR HR HR R * * * * *RadianceHD Ampac Seed/Cisco 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * *Rebound 6.0 Croplan Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * * *Rebound 6XT Croplan Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR * *Saranac AR (certified)
Public 4 MR R HR LR - * x x x x x x * x * * x * x * * *
6422Q NEXGROW 4 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * * *TripleTrust 500 Central Farm Supply 5 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * * *Withstand Southern States 4 HR HR HR HR HR x * x x *WL 363HQ W-L Research 5 HR HR HR HR HR * * * * * *WL 365HQ W-L Research 5 HR HR HR HR HR * *Experimental VarietiesAM-09-600 Ampac Seed/Cisco 4 HR HR HR HR HR x *AM-14-900 Ampac Seed/Cisco 4 HR HR HR HR HR * *AFX095005 Alforex Seeds 5 HR HR HR HR HR x *AFX095026 Alforex Seeds 4 HR HR HR HR R * *CW 065030 Beck's Hybrids 5 HR HR HR HR HR x * * * *CW 085028 Cal/West Seeds 5 HR HR - HR - * * * * *GA-ALFG-1 Univ. of Georgia - - - - - - x x x * xLS 905 Legacy Seeds, Inc. 4 HR HR HR HR HR * *NF11ALF0006 Noble Foundation 6 - - - - - x x *1 Variety characteristics: FD=fall dormancy, Bw=bacterial wilt, Fw=fusarium wilt, An=anthracnose, PRR=phytophthora root rot, APH-aphanomyces root rot.
Information provided by seed companies.2 Disease resistance: S=susceptible, LR=low resistance, MR=moderate resistance, R=resistance, HR=high resistance.3 Establishment year.4 Fall dormancy-check varieties: 1=Spredor 3, 2=Vernal, 3=Ranger, 4=Saranac, 5=DuPuits.5 "x" in the box indicates the variety was in the test but yielded significantly less than the top-ranked variety in the test. Open boxes indicate the variety was not in the test.* Not significantly different from the top-ranked variety in the test.
9
Tabl
e 13
. Cha
ract
eriz
atio
n an
d pe
rfor
man
ce o
f Rou
ndup
Rea
dy a
lfalfa
var
ietie
s acr
oss y
ears
and
loca
tions
in K
entu
cky.
Varie
tyPr
oprie
tor
Varie
ty C
hara
cter
istic
s1Le
ton
Prin
ceto
n
FD4
Dis
ease
Res
isan
ce2
2012
320
1520
1620
15Bw
FwAn
PRR
APH
1314
1516
1715
1617
1617
1617
Com
mer
cial
Var
ietie
s-Av
aila
ble
for F
arm
Use
428
RRAl
lied
Seed
, LLC
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
*54
R02
RRPi
onee
r Hi-B
red
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
x5*
**
x*
**
**
**
55VR
06 R
RD
upon
t Pio
neer
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
xx
*55
VR08
RR
Dup
ont P
ione
er5
-HR
HRHR
HR*
**
**
**
6516
R RR
NEX
GRO
W5
HR-
HRHR
HR*
**
**
Alfa
graz
e 30
0 RR
Amer
ica'
s Alfa
lfa3
HRR
HRHR
HRx
x*
*x
x*
**
*x
xAl
fagr
aze
600
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eric
a's A
lfalfa
6-
RHR
RR
**
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xAm
erist
and
405T
RR
Amer
ica'
s Alfa
lfa4
HRHR
HRHR
HR*
x*
**
**
**
x*
*Am
erist
and
433T
RR
Amer
ica'
s Alfa
lfa3
HRR
RHR
HRx
x*
xx
**
**
*x
*Am
erist
and
455T
Q R
RAm
eric
a's A
lfalfa
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
*x
**
**
**
Apha
Tron
RR
Crop
lan
Gene
tics
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
*Co
nsist
ency
4.1
0 RR
Crop
lan
Gene
tics
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
*x
**
*D
KA 4
1-18
RR
Mon
sant
o4
HRHR
HRHR
HRx
**
**
**
DKA
44-
16 R
RM
onsa
nto
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
*St
ratic
a RR
Crop
lan
Gene
tics
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
x*
*To
nnic
a RR
Crop
lan
Gene
tics
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
*W
L 35
5 RR
W-L
Res
earc
h4
HRHR
HRHR
HRx
**
**
**
WL
356H
Q R
RW
-L R
esea
rch
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
*x
**
**
**
WL
372H
Q R
RW
-L R
esea
rch
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
**
**
*1
Varie
ty c
hara
cter
istic
s: FD
=fal
l dor
man
cy, B
w=b
acte
rial w
ilt, F
w=f
usar
ium
wilt
, An=
anth
racn
ose,
PRR
=phy
toph
thor
a ro
ot ro
t, AP
H-ap
hano
myc
es ro
ot ro
t. In
form
atio
n pr
ovid
ed b
y se
ed co
mpa
nies
.2
Dise
ase
resis
tanc
e: S
=sus
cept
ible
, LR=
low
resis
tanc
e, M
R=m
oder
ate
resis
tanc
e, R
=res
istan
ce, H
R=hi
gh re
sista
nce.
3 Es
tabl
ishm
ent y
ear.
4 Fa
ll do
rman
cy-c
heck
var
ietie
s: 1=
Spre
dor 3
, 2=V
erna
l, 3=
Rang
er, 4
=Sar
anac
, 5=D
uPui
ts.
5 "x
" in
the
box
indi
cate
s the
var
iety
was
in th
e te
st b
ut y
ield
ed si
gnifi
cant
ly le
ss th
an th
e to
p-ra
nked
var
iety
in th
e te
st.
Ope
n bo
xes i
ndic
ate
the
varie
ty w
as n
ot in
the
test
.* N
ot si
gnifi
cant
ly d
iffer
ent f
rom
the
top-
rank
ed v
arie
ty in
the
test
.
10
continued
Tabl
e 14
. Sum
mar
y of
Ken
tuck
y al
falfa
yie
ld tr
ials
200
0-20
17 (y
ield
show
n as
a p
erce
ntag
e of
the
mea
n of
the
com
mer
cial
var
ietie
s in
the
test
).
Varie
tyPr
oprie
tor
Varie
ty C
hara
cter
istic
s1Le
ton
Prin
ceto
n B
owlin
g G
reen
2Ed
en
Shal
eD
isea
se R
esis
tanc
e300
4,5
0204
0608
1112
1501
0508
0911
1303
0603
Mea
n6
FDBw
FwAn
PRR
APH
5yr7
5yr
5yr
7yr
6yr
6yr
5yr
3yr
4yr
5yr
5yr
6yr
4yr
3yr
3yr
4yr
4yr
(# tr
ials
)A-
4440
Prod
ucer
s Cho
ice
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
100
9910
0(2)
A 52
25Pr
oduc
ers C
hoic
e5
HRHR
HRHR
R10
410
710
6(2)
AC L
ongv
iew
New
field
See
ds–
HR–
––
–83
–Ad
rena
linBr
ett Y
oung
See
ds4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
4–
Amer
istan
d 40
3TAm
eric
a's A
lfalfa
3HR
HRHR
HRHR
9991
102
9497
100
101
107
9999
(9)
Amer
istan
d 40
3T P
lus
Amer
ica'
s Alfa
lfa4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
494
99(2
)Am
erist
and
407T
QAm
eric
a's A
lfalfa
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
103
104
104(
2)Am
erist
and
427T
QAm
eric
a's A
lfalfa
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
109
–An
chor
mat
ePr
oSee
d M
arke
ting
––
––
––
100
–Ar
c (c
ertifi
ed)
Publ
ic4
LRM
RHR
––
9196
7693
9299
9586
9598
92(1
0)Ar
cher
III
Amer
ica'
s Alfa
lfa5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
6–
Bara
lfa 5
3HR
Bare
nbru
g US
A5
HRR
HRHR
HR10
4–
Buffa
loPu
blic
––
––
––
9082
8680
8991
9578
8791
8195
87(1
2)Bu
lldog
-505
Univ
. of G
A5
–HR
–R
–10
296
103
100(
3)Ca
liber
Beck
's H
ybrid
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR99
105
9910
1(3)
Char
ger
Beck
's H
ybrid
s5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
6–
Cont
ende
rBe
ck's
Hyb
rids
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
99–
DK
140
Mon
sant
o4
HRHR
HRHR
HR95
100
98(2
)D
KA 4
3-13
Mon
sant
o4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
2–
DKA
50-
18M
onsa
nto
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
110
–D
G421
0Cr
op P
rodu
ctio
n4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
110
310
2(2)
Dyn
agro
Eve
rlast
Unite
d Ag
r. Pr
od.
4HR
HRHR
HRR
101
101
101(
2)En
forc
erSo
uthe
rn S
tate
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR90
8286
(2)
Esca
lade
Allie
d Se
eds
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
106
–Ev
erm
ore
Sout
hern
Sta
tes
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
9910
510
110
310
2(4)
Expe
ditio
nN
EXGR
OW
5HR
HRR
RRR
107
112
9610
5(3)
Feas
t +EV
NEX
GRO
W3
HRHR
HRR
HR10
610
196
101(
3)Fi
erce
Beck
's H
ybrid
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
3–
FSG
403L
RFa
rm S
ci. G
enet
ics
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
102
–FS
G 40
6Al
lied
Seed
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR11
0–
FSG
408D
PAl
lied
Seed
s4
HRHR
HRHR
R10
511
010
8(2)
FSG
424
Farm
Sci
. Gen
etic
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
9–
FSG
426
Farm
Sci
. Gen
etic
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
2–
FSG
505
Allie
d Se
eds
5HR
HRHR
HRR
106
108
107(
2)FS
G 52
4Fa
rm S
ci. G
enet
ics
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
96–
FSG
528S
FLe
wis
Seed
Co.
5HR
RHR
HRR
107
–GA
-535
Pref
. Alf.
Gen
etic
s5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
7–
Gene
vaN
EXGR
OW
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
106
103
104
104(
3)Ge
noa
NEX
GRO
W4
HRHR
HRRR
HR11
299
9811
810
7(4)
GH 7
44N
EXGR
OW
4HR
HRHR
HRM
R10
4–
Gunn
erCr
opla
n Ge
netic
s5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
3–
Inte
grity
PGI A
lfalfa
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
101
–Ki
ngFi
sher
243
Cal/W
est
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
98–
King
fishe
r 402
0Le
gacy
See
ds4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
1–
L447
HDLe
gacy
See
ds4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
5–
L449
Aph2
Lega
cy S
eeds
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
97–
L455
HDLe
gacy
See
ds4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
2–
Lanc
erAl
lied
Seed
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
1–
Lege
nDai
ry 5
.0Cr
opla
n Ge
netic
s3
HRHR
HRHR
HR99
103
110
104(
3)M
arin
er II
IAl
lied
Seed
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR99
–M
ount
aine
er 2
.0Cr
opla
n Ge
n.5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
8–
11
continued
Tabl
e 14
. Sum
mar
y of
Ken
tuck
y al
falfa
yie
ld tr
ials
200
0-20
17 (y
ield
show
n as
a p
erce
ntag
e of
the
mea
n of
the
com
mer
cial
var
ietie
s in
the
test
).
Varie
tyPr
oprie
tor
Varie
ty C
hara
cter
istic
s1Le
ton
Prin
ceto
nBo
wlin
g G
reen
2Ed
en
Shal
eM
ean6
(# tr
ials
)FD
Dis
ease
Res
ista
nce3
004,
502
0406
0811
1215
0105
0809
1113
0306
03Bw
FwAn
PRR
APH
5yr7
5yr
5yr
7yr
6yr
6yr
5yr
3yr
4yr
5yr
5yr
6yr
4yr
3yr
3yr
4yr
4yr
Opt
imus
Bret
t You
ng S
eeds
HR
HRHR
HRHR
98–
PerF
orm
Dai
ryla
nd R
esea
rch
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
106
–PG
I 459
Prod
ucer
s Cho
ice
4HR
HRHR
HRR
102
–Ph
irst
UniS
outh
Gen
etic
s4
HRHR
HRHR
R10
510
210
4(2)
Phoe
nix
Sout
hern
Sta
tes
5HR
HRHR
HRR
113
9910
210
610
194
9610
2(7)
Radi
ance
HD
Ampa
c Se
ed/C
isco
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
101
105
103
103(
3)Ra
dian
t-AM
Ampa
c Se
ed4
HRHR
HRHR
HR97
–Re
boun
d 5.
0Cr
opla
n Ge
netic
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
310
310
810
4(3)
Rebo
und
6.0
Crop
lan
Gene
tics
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
104
101
103(
2)Re
gal
Grea
t Pla
ins
5HR
HRR
HRM
R10
394
99(2
)Re
war
d II
PGI A
lfalfa
4HR
HRR
HRR
9910
394
103
100(
4)Sa
rana
c AR
(cer
tified
)Pu
blic
4M
RR
HRLR
–93
8777
8586
9198
9792
9588
9282
9799
8995
91(1
7)Su
mm
er G
old
Beck
's H
ybrid
s4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
7–
Trip
leTr
ust 4
50AB
I Alfa
lfa5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
010
510
3(2)
Trip
leTr
ust 5
00Ce
ntra
l Far
m S
uppl
y5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
8–
USG
681H
YUn
iSou
th G
enet
ics
6HR
HRHR
HR–
113
–Ve
rnal
Publ
ic2
RM
R–
––
9395
94(2
)W
ithst
and
Sout
hern
Sta
tes
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
100
9096
100
8711
498
(6)
WL
319H
QW
-L R
esea
rch
3HR
HRHR
HRHR
108
–W
L 32
7W
-L R
esea
rch
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
105
–W
L 33
8SR
W-L
Res
earc
h4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
1–
WL
343H
QW
-L R
esea
rch
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
101
110
100
104(
3)W
L 34
8AP
W-L
Res
earc
h4
HRHR
HRHR
HR99
–W
L 35
4HQ
W-L
Res
earc
h4
HRHR
HRHR
HR11
5–
WL
357H
QW
-L R
esea
rch
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
123
106
101
106
109(
4)W
L 36
3HQ
W-L
Res
earc
h5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
510
310
510
4(3)
4m76
FFR/
Sou.
St.
4.7
HRHR
RHR
R11
6–
4030
Bret
t You
ng S
eeds
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
103
–5-
star
Crop
lan
Gen.
5R
HRR
RR
9799
98(2
)53
H92
Pion
eer
3HR
HRHR
HRHR
95–
54Q
32Pi
onee
r4
HRHR
HRHR
HR99
–54
V46
Pion
eer
4R
HRHR
HRR
99–
55V4
8Pi
onee
r5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
2–
55V5
0Pi
onee
r5
HRR
Hr
HRHR
111
105
108(
2)54
V54
Pion
eer
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
9894
105
99(3
)54
V56
Pion
eer
––
––
––
98–
6400
HTN
EXGR
OW
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
108
9610
2(2)
6415
NEX
GRO
W4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
310
510
4(2)
6417
NEX
GRO
W4
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
5–
6420
NEX
GRO
W4
HRR
HRR
HR10
6–
6422
QN
EXGR
OW
4HR
HRHR
HRHR
112
102
107(
2)65
30N
EXGR
OW
5HR
HRHR
HRHR
92–
6552
NEX
GRO
W5
HRHR
HRHR
HR10
5–
1 Va
riety
cha
ract
erist
ics:
FD=f
all d
orm
ancy
, Bw
=bac
teria
l wilt
, Fw
=fus
ariu
m w
ilt, A
n=an
thra
cnos
e, P
RR=p
hyto
phth
ora
root
rot,
APH
-aph
anom
yces
root
rot.
Info
rmat
ion
prov
ided
by
seed
com
pani
es.
2 Th
e Bo
wlin
g Gr
een
test
is o
n so
il in
fest
ed w
ith p
hyto
phth
ora
and
apha
nom
yces
root
rots
.3
Dise
ase
resis
tanc
e: S
=sus
cept
ible
, LR=
low
resis
tanc
e, M
R=m
oder
ate
resis
tanc
e, R
=res
istan
ce, H
R=hi
gh re
sista
nce.
4 Ye
ar tr
ial w
as e
stab
lishe
d.5
Use
this
sum
mar
y ta
ble
as a
gui
de in
mak
ing
varie
ty d
ecisi
ons,
but r
efer
to sp
ecifi
c ye
arly
repo
rts t
o de
term
ine
stat
istic
al d
iffer
ence
s in
fora
ge y
ield
bet
wee
n va
rietie
s. To
find
act
ual y
ield
s, lo
ok in
the
year
ly re
port
for t
he fi
nal
year
of e
ach
spec
ific
test
. For
exa
mpl
e, th
e Le
ton
tria
l pla
nted
in 2
008
was
har
vest
ed fo
r six
yea
rs, s
o th
e fin
al y
ield
repo
rt w
ould
be
"201
3 Al
falfa
Rep
ort"
arc
hive
d in
the
KY F
orag
e w
ebsit
e at
ww
w.u
ky.e
du/A
g/Fo
rage
.6
Mea
n on
ly p
rese
nted
whe
n re
spec
tive
varie
ty w
as in
clud
ed in
two
or m
ore
tria
ls.7
Num
ber o
f yea
rs o
f dat
a.
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization.11-2017
Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
Table 15. Summary of Kentucky Roundup Ready alfalfa yield trials 2011-2017 (yield shown as a percentage of the mean of the commercial varieties in the test).
Variety Proprietor
Variety Characteristics1 Lexington Princeton QuicksandMean5
(# trials)FDDisease Resistance2 123,4 15 11 13 15 14
Bw Fw An PRR APH 5yr6 3yr 5yr 4yr 2yr 2yrAlfagraze 300 RR America's Alfalfa 3 HR R HR HR HR 94 95 93 99 93 95(5)Alfagraze 600 RR America's Alfalfa 6 R HR R R 102 85 93 93(3)Ameristand 405T RR America's Alfalfa 4 HR HR HR HR HR 98 105 97 100 98 93 99(6)Ameristand 433T RR America's Alfalfa 3 HR R R HR HR 91 97 95 96 107 97(5)Ameristand 445TQ RR America's Alfalfa 4 HR HR HR HR HR 104 101 100 102(3)AphaTron RR Croplan Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR 100 98 99(2)Consistency 4.10 RR Croplan Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR 99 102 101(2)DKA-41-18 RR Monsanto 4 HR HR HR HR HR 98 101 100 100(3)DKA 44-16 RR Monsanto 4 HR HR HR HR HR 105 100 103(2)Stratica RR Croplan Genetics 4 HR HR HR HR HR 98 96 97(2)Tonnica RR Crop Genetics 5 HR HR HR HR HR 106 101 104(2)WL 355 RR W-L Research 4 HR HR HR HR HR 100 102 110 104(3)WL 356HQ RR W-L Research 5 HR HR HR HR HR 100 99 96 98(3)WL 372HQ RR W-L Research 5 HR HR HR HR HR 102 106 104(2)428 RR Allied Seed 4 HR HR HR HR HR 93 104 111 103(3)54R02 RR Dupont Pioneer 4 HR HR HR HR HR 98 109 104 102 97 102(5)55VR06 RR Dupont Pioneer 5 HR R Hr HR HR 90 99 95(2)55VR08 RR Dupont Pioneer 5 – HR HR HR HR 108 –6516R RR NEXGROW 5 HR – HR HR HR 106 109 108(2)1 Variety characteristics: FD=fall dormancy, Bw=bacterial wilt, Fw=fusarium wilt, An=anthracnose, PRR=phytophthora root rot, APH-aphanomyces root rot.
Information provided by seed companies.2 Disease resistance: S=susceptible, LR=low resistance, MR=moderate resistance, R=resistance, HR=high resistance.3 Year trial was established.4 Use this summary table as a guide in making variety decisions, but refer to specific yearly reports to determine statistical differences in forage yield between varieties.
To find actual yields, look in the yearly report for the final year of each specific test. For example, the Princeton trial planted in 2011 was harvested for five years, so the final yield report would be "2016 Alfalfa Report" archived in the KY Forage website at www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage.
5 Mean only presented when respective variety was included in two or more trials.6 Number of years of data.