Drying Rate of Cut Forages After Spray Treatments to Hasten Drying

Abstract Drying rates were increased by our spraying field or greenhouse-grown alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) with solutions containing emulsified methyl esters of long chain fatty acids plus potassium carbonate or potassium carbonate alone. Treatment increased drying of stems and leaves and was more effective in hastening drying of intact alfalfa plant than of separated leaves and stems. Alfalfa grown under different environmental conditions had different drying rates. Red clover ( Trifolium pratense ) and birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus cornicalatus ) responded to chemical treatment with increased drying rates, whereas speed of moisture loss for two cool-season forage grasses, bromegrass ( Bromus inermis ) and orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata ), were not altered. Thus, spray treatment of several economically important legumes has the potential to reduce time cut forage remains in the field and to decrease the chance of large losses of dry matter and nutrients associated with exposure of cut forage to rain and adverse weather conditions.