Improving alfalfa stands with early-spring broadcast seeding

A study was conducted to determine whether broadcast seeding of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) into a winter-damaged alfalfa stand early in the spring would improve the stand and whether this seeding method could be a reliable alternative to conventional reseeding. In separate experiments conducted in 1986 and 1987 and followed for two growing seasons, alfalfa (Saranac') seed was broadcast into winter-damaged alfalfa plots, either as early in the spring as possible after the snow was gone (early April), or 2 wk later at the rate of 11 or 3.6 lb/acre. Stand improvement was evaluated on the basis of alfalfa density and dry matter yield (...)