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    Alfalfa – Timing Study – AgriFacts

    0.8 TONS/AC

    Increase with Aspire over MOP (Split-applied In Season)

    0.6 TONS/AC

    Increase with Aspire over MOP (Fall Application)

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    Objective

    Evaluate the alfalfa yield response of various treatments and application timings of MOP (0-0-60), an MOP + Granular B blend, and Aspire® (0-0-58-0.5B).

    OVERVIEW

    • Alfalfa removes high rates of potassium (K) from the soil, so MOP is commonly used as a K source to replace nutrient removal.
    • In addition to K, adequate soil boron (B) is needed to achieve maximum yields (Figure 1).
    • Granular B products can be blended with K, but application of these blends often leads to undesirable distribution.
    • Aspire® is a superior B delivery source that combines K with two forms of boron for both early- and late- season needs.
    • Additionally, application timings vary across producers (often driven by weather and logistics), so it is important to understand crop responses with different management approaches.

    TRIAL DETAILS

    Crop: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

    Years: 2017–2018

    Locations: 6 trials (Columbus, WI; Cambridge, WI; and Deford, MI)

    Data Source: Field studies conducted by independent third-party researchers.

    Experimental Design: Small-plot RCBD with 4 replications.

    Cropping Conditions: Trials conformed to local cropping practices and were conducted on an established stand.

    TREATMENTS:

    Treatment (Trmnt) / Rates / Timing:

    Numbered and color-coded to match bar chart. All treatments received a total of 240 lbs K₂O/ac. Trtmnts 2-5 received a total of 2 lbs B/ac. Values in ( ) represent lbs K₂O/ac or lbs B/ac

    1. MOP (120) applied after 1st and 3rd cutting of harvest year.
    2. MOP (120) + Granular B (1) blend applied after 1st and 3rd cutting of harvest year.
    3. Aspire® (120/1) applied after 1st and 3rd cutting of harvest year.
    4. Aspire® (120/1) applied fall of previous year. Aspire (120/1) applied spring of harvest year.
    5. Aspire® (240/2) applied fall of previous year.

    Application Method: Broadcast


    RESULTS


    SUMMARY

    • Alfalfa yields responded positively to the addition of boron.
    • Aspire split-applied after 1st and 3rd cuttings of harvest year increased alfalfa yield 0.8 tons/ac over MOP and 0.5 tons/ac over the MOP+Granular B blend.
    • Split applications (120-Fall/120-Spring) of Aspire® and full-rate fall applications (240-Fall) yielded 0.7 ton/ac and 0.6 ton/ac over MOP, respectively.
    • The results suggest that while applications of Aspire® after 1st and 3rd cuttings of harvest year provide maximum yield, split application (fall/spring) or full-rate fall applications perform almost as well and demonstrate the flexible application window offered by this fertilizer technology.