Comparison of sodseeding versus slotseeding of alfalfa into established crested wheatgrass in southwestern Saskatchewan

• Published in: Canadian journal of plant science 1997-10, Vol.77 (4), p.573-578
• Main Authors: Schellenberg, M.P, Waddington, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agropyron desertorum; crop production; crop yield; forage; Medicago sativa; range management; sowing
• ISSN: 0008-4220; 1918-1833
• DOI: 10.4141/P96-149

Establishment of alfalfa seedlings in existing grass pastures (sodseeding) can increase forage productivity and quality. Nonselective herbicides are used to control the grass, thus freeing up limiting resources such as soil moisture for utilization by the alfalfa seedlings. Mechanical removal of a ribbon of grass sod to create a "slot" of bare soil for seeding was proposed as an alternative to herbicide methods. Experiments were started in each of the 3 yr 1992–1994 to compare the establishment of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Rangelander in established crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum (Fisch.) Schult.) utilizing sodseeding or slotseeding. Prior to sodseeding, the existing vegetation was killed with glyphosate at 2.2 kg ai ha −1 . For slotseeding, four widths (2.5, 5, 7, and 10 cm) of sod were removed to provide a slot in which seed was placed. In combination with the four slot widths, two widths (15 and 35 cm) of undercutting grass vegetation adjacent to the slot were examined. Sodseeding after a glyphosate treatment provided an environment with greater suppression of existing vegetation, and a seeding groove with characteristics resulting in greater productivity than with slotseeding using any slot width with undercutting. Key words: Sodseeding, slotseeding, alfalfa, Medicago sativa, crested wheatgrass, Agropyron desertorum