PARTS
the first visible portion of an alfalfa seedling
state of maturity with late bud, more than 2 nodes with visible buds, no visible flowers
4
harvest when grasses are at boot stage and alfalfa is in the early-mid bud stage
MIXED STAND
at the 2-leaf stage the seedling can manufacture all of it's energy through ___
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
arrested root development in new alfalfa seeds planted into an existing alfalfa stand
AUTO TOXICITY
mineral critical for healthy root development
PHOSPHORUS
the area of the plant between the soil surface and the cotyledonary nodes
CROWN
developmental stage when the maximum number of stems per plant & weight of each stem are determined
VEGETATIVE
soil compaction that can reduce soil air permeability, water infiltration and alfalfa root development
WHEEL TRAFFIC
the only environmental factor promoting both yield and quality
SOLAR RADIATION
diseases that can be important selection criteria in heavier soils
ROOT ROT
mineral needed for high yields
POTASSIUM
buds where the leaf attaches to the stem
AUXILIARY
forage cut at this stage will be very high quality
EARLY BUD
window of time between Sept 1 until a killing frost
NO CUT
accelerates plant development
TEMPERATURE
the most impactful alfalfa insect pest in the eastern half of North America
POTATO LEAF HOPPER
alfalfa plants that have access to ___ nitrogen will reduce fixation and preferably use the alternative N supply.
MANURE
the second leaf to appear
TRIFOLIATE LEAF
phase of alfalfa dry down influenced by osmotic and cell forces; primarily by environmental drying conditions and soil moistures
FINAL
one factor which slows alfalfa drying in the field
SWATH DENSITY
feed quality should be relatively high in ___ cuttings because the growth has occurred during a period of declining solar radiation and cooler nights
LATE FALL
one growing condition example that can negatively impact yield
ICE SHEETING
relative ___ based on voluntary animal intake of forage digestible dry matter with a value of 100 being equal to the value of full-bloom hay
FEED VALUE
high ___ ratio results in higher nutritional value; usually lower in spring
LEAF TO STEM
stress can reduce the number of stems produced during this stage
REGROWTH
plant ___ at harvest is the biggest driver of alfalfa yield and nutritional quality
MATURITY
method employed primarily with first cutting & begins with identifying when plants break dormancy
GROWING DEGREE UNIT
fiber content and ___ changes at a faster rate in first cutting compared to later cuttings
DIGESTIBILITY
relative ___ was developed to factor in differences in fiber digestibility
FORAGE QUALITY