الفهرس 
Title : Yield and quality of alfalfa as affected by some cultural treatments
AbstractOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Two field experiments were carried out at the Agricultural experiment and research station, Cairo univ., Egypt in two locations. The first location was in Giza from 2013 to 2017 at loamy clay soil. The second location was in Wadi Elnatroon, in Elbihera governerate from 2016 to 2018 at sandy soil. First experiment was aimed to study the effect of low irrigation rates and phosphorous additions on growth, yield, WUE and protein and fiber contents of two alfalfa cultivars ( Elwadi Elgadid and Cuf-101). Three irrigation treatments (100%, 80% and 60%) in Giza and (100%, 75% and 50%) in Wadi Elnatroon were used. Three phosphorous rates (0, 60 and 80 kg P₂O₅/fed) were used. The results showed that there were significant increments in total fresh and dry forage yields by using irrigation level 80 % than those of 100 and 60% in 2014, 2016 and 2017 seasons in Giza and 75% in Wadi El-Natroon. Values of WUE for fresh and dry forage yields were increased by decreasing irrigation level from 100 to 60%. El Wadi El Gadid cultivar had significant increases of total fresh and dry yields, as well as, WUE and quality than Cuf-101 cultivar. Increasing phosphorous rates from 0 to 40 and 80 kg P₂O₅/fad caused significant increases in total fresh and dry yields, as well as, WUE and quality. Second experiment was aimed to study the response of two cultivars for cutting stages (full bud, 25% and 50% blooming) and potassium rates (0, 40 and 80 kg K₂O /fed) and determine the most appropriate cutting stage and potassium rate to get high yield and quality. Elwadi Elgadid cv. surpassed Cuf-101 in plant height, dry leaf/stem ratio and total dry yield in 2016 and 2017 seasons. Dry leaf/stem ratio increased with increasing potassium rate to 80 kg K₂O/fed in the studied seasons. Also, Delaying cut alfalfa at 50% of blooming gave the tallest plants and the highest total dry, protein and fiber yields than cutting at full bud stage. Whereas, cutting early at full bud recorded the highest dry leaf/stem ratio