The Effect of Sward Management on the Mineral Content of Winter Grazed Herbage

No information is available regarding the mineral content of autumn‐saved herbage during winter grazing under Central European conditions. Therefore, P, K, Na, Mg and Ca concentrations of autumn‐saved growths of Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne were analysed considering the potential influence of pre‐utilization (saved from June or July), date of winter harvest (December, January, February) and year (three winters). For all years date of winter harvest was the main source of variance, whereas date of preceding cut had no relevant effect on the mineral concentrations during winter. Already in December P [2.3 to 4.0 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)], Na (0.3 to 3 g kg^?1 DM) and Mg (1.0 to 2.4 g kg^?1 DM) concentrations were mostly below the required levels for ruminants. The lowest values were detected in February. K levels ranged between 6.6 g kg^?1 DM in February and 23.4 g kg^?1 DM in December; on average, K concentrations decreased about 10 g kg^?1 DM with advancing winter. Ca concentrations (2.9 to 7.4 g kg^?1 DM) hardly changed during winter. Related to higher growth rates of F. arundinacea before December, P and Ca concentrations were diluted, but regarding Mg, more wintergreen F. arundinacea reached higher values than L. perenne especially at the beginning of winter.     

Wachstumsanalytische Untersuchungen an Knaulgras (Dactylis glomerata L.) unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des phänologischen Entwicklungsstadiums bei der Nutzung im ersten Aufwuchs

Regrowth characteristics of a cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) sward after initial defoliation at different stages of development Over 2 two-year period (1984-1985) the productivity of Dactylis glomerata (cv. Baraula) swards as influenced by variations in time of the initial defoliation was studied. The stages at which the initial cuts were taken were: (a) before stem apices were raised to defoliation level (5 cm), (b) about two weeks later, when the reproductive tillers reached ear emergence, (c) about 4 weeks after (a), when the reproductive tillers reached flowering stages. Subsequent production was measured by weekly harvesting of representative sward samples over a 6-7 weeks lastening growth period. Furtheron patterns of growth in a second regrowth in August and a third regrowth in September/October were studied. The growth behaviour in the investigation was described by calculations of curves concerning mainly the development of dry matter yield (DM), leaf area index (LAI), crop growth rate (C), relative growth rate (R) and net assimilation rate (E) during the growth period. The leaf area ratio (F) and leaf weight ratio (LWR) were derived from fitted curves. The highest dry matter yield and the highest growth rate (more than 20 g m^?2day^?1) was estimated in the spring growth and in the earliest regrowth (a). About 30 % of the tillers in these swards became reproductive. The main difference between regrowths of primary defoliations at successively later dates was between the earliest, after cutting on 8.-13. May, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the two later regrowths after primary cuts from 31. May to 12. June. The two latter and the second regrowth in August were in most respects very similar: no reproductive development; herbage yield of about 400-500 g m^?2; highest C of about 15-20 g m^?2day^?1; maximum LAI- values from 8-9. In respect to the E there were some differences between the stands. The E was at the time when C was highest somewhat higher in the reproduction stands (spring growth and first regrowth) compared with the vegetative regrowths. The relationship between C and LAI could in all stands be described by an relatively optimum curve, which means that C did not differ much within a wide range of LAI.     

Productivity of Bahiagrass Pastures in South-western Japan: Synthesis of Data from Grazing Trials

This study examined the rate of herbage production and herbage quality of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) using data from five grazing trials in the low‐altitude region of Kyushu, south‐western Japan, in an effort to (a) evaluate productivity of bahiagrass pastures, (b) analyse its relationship to meteorological, vegetational and managerial variables, and (c) obtain implications for better management of bahiagrass pastures. The rate of herbage production, ranging from ?56 to 213 kg DM ha^?1 day^?1, tended to increase from spring (April–May) to mid‐summer (July) and decrease thereafter. The rate was expressed by a multiple regression equation where nitrogen fertilizer rate, air temperature, rainfall and herbage mass had positive effects. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) and crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage were in the range of 471–727 and 84–161 g kg^?1 DM respectively. DMD was expressed by a regression equation where the day number from 1 April and herbage mass had negative effects, and the sampling height and nitrogen rate had positive effects. CP concentration was expressed by an equation showing a positive effect of nitrogen rate and a negative effect of herbage mass. The results indicate that management of bahiagrass pastures should aim at maintaining herbage mass closely above the critical level below which intake by grazing animals is restricted, in order to increase quality and ensure quantity. This is particularly important when nitrogen fertilizer is applied.     

Condensed tannins in birdsfoot trefoil: Genetic relationships with forage yield and quality in NC-83 germplasm

Summary Genetic relationships of condensed tannins (CT) with other forage quality parameters have not been adequately studied in birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). The objectives were to bidirectionally select for CT concentration in birdsfoot trefoil to determine selection response and to create populations for examination of genetic relationships of CT with forage quality parameters, principally lignin. High-and low-tannin parental clones were selected from NC-83 birdsfoot trefoil germplasm and intercrossed to produce Syn₁ populations. Herbage samples, harvested for two years at two locations, were analyzed from high-tannin, low-tannin, and parental populations for CT concentration, herbage yield, and forage quality parameters. The mean condensed tannin concentrations in the high-and low-tannin populations were 69.3±0.8 and 21.1±0.8 g catechin equivalent (CE) kg^-1 dry matter (DM) compared with 36.4±0.8 g CE kg^-1 DM in the parental population. The selection response exhibited a quadratic relationship, with selection for increased CT concentration more effective than for reduced CT concentration. Compared with the parental population, acid detergent lignin (ADL) was higher, and crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) concentrations were lower for the high-tannin population and the converse was true for the low-tannin population. Lignin concentration was positively correlated with CT concentration (r_g=0.66 P0.01).Abbreviations ADF acid detergent fiber - ADL acid detergent lignin - CP crude protein - CT condensed tannins - IVDDM in vitro digestible dry matter - NDF neutral detergent fiber - NIRS near infrared reflectance spectroscopy     

Yield and Forage Quality of Different ×Festulolium Cultivars in Winter

×Festulolium ssp. are of particular interest as autumn‐saved herbage in the winter grazing system, but information concerning their performance in this low‐input system is not available. To this end, we examined dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality in winter of four different cultivars of ×Festulolium ssp. (×Festulolium pabulare, Festulolium braunii), either with festucoid or loloid attributes, compared with Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Furthermore, pre‐utilization (accumulation since June or July) and date of winter harvest (December or January) were varied examining the influence of different sward management. DM yield, crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME) (in vitro rumen fermentation technique), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ergosterol concentration were determined. Within all years, the festucoid cultivars (mean 3.4 t ha^?1) attained significant higher yields during winter than the loloid cultivars (mean 1.6 t ha^?1), but their yields were comparable with F. arundinacea (mean 3.0 t ha^?1). Crude protein was decisively influenced by the different yield levels of the cultivars resulting in higher values for the loloid cultivars. Energy concentrations decreased with later winter harvest, whereas ADF as well as ergosterol concentrations frequently increased from December to January. The greatest differences between festucoid and loloid cultivars were generally observed during severe winters. Obviously, the festucoid cultivars were better adapted to a utilization as autumn‐saved herbage than the cultivars with rather loloid attributes. However, the hybrids did not surpass F. arundinacea regarding yield and quality.     

Underground Vetch (Vicia sativa ssp. amphicarpa): A Potential Pasture and Forage Legume for Dry Areas in West Asia

Subterranean vetch [Vicia sativa ssp. amphicarpa (Dorth.) Aschers & Graebn.] is native to disturbed grasslands of the Mediterranean basin where heavy grazing, seasonal drought and erosion act as strong selection forces. It produces two pod types, above‐ground and 5 cm below the soil surface. Unlike subterranean clover (Trifolium subterranean L.), which buries its seeds after flowering above‐ground, subterranean vetch flowers and forms pods beneath the soil surface on underground stems. The aerial pods are produced after vegetative development ceases, while the underground pods are produced in ontogeny. The ability of this unusual vetch to survive in marginal areas with low rainfall (about 250 mm year^?1) and to produce nutritious herbage and pods is an important characteristic which helps address rehabilitation of degraded rangelands and increase feed production for small ruminants. Research at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) during the 1988–93 growing seasons has assessed the herbage and seed productivity of underground vetch, its ability to grow in rotation with barley in marginal low‐rainfall areas, and its capacity to regenerate after heavy grazing. Drier conditions in 1989 favoured earlier underground flowering; the number of underground pods was higher than that of aerial pods. Grain yield of barley (var. Atlas) was around 2.0 t ha^?1 after underground vetch and only 1.2 t ha^?1 after barley. Grazing underground vetch had no effect on the productivity of the succeeding barley crop. The aerial and underground pods serve two distinct functions; aerial pods increase dissemination within suitable habitats, while underground pods increase the probability of plant survival under adverse conditions such as drought and heavy grazing. Underground vetch has two potential uses, namely the rehabilitation of marginal areas and production in rotation with barley.     

Forage quality of genetically diverse alfalfa germplasms at four phenological growth stages

Summary Forage quality of various alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars has been determined under different environmental conditions, and numerous trials with alfalfa have documented an inverse relationship between forage quality and maturity. Little information is available, however, regarding the comparative forage quality of the germplasm sources from which most USA cultivars were developed. We compared forage quality of these germplasm sources at four phenological stages under disease- and insect-free conditions in a greenhouse. Germplasm sources (cultivars) tested were: Indian (Sirsa #9), African (African), Peruvian (Hairy Peruvian), Flemish (DuPuits), Turkistan (Lahontan), Chilean (Kansas Common), M. varia (Grimm), and Ladak (Ladak). Four harvests were taken and forage was separated into four phenological stages: vegetative, early bud (1–3 buds-per-stem), late bud (>3 buds-per-stem), and bloom. The germplasm source X phenological stage interaction was significant for crude protein (CP) and in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) concentrations. M. varia showed the least decline in IVDDM and CP with increasing maturity. M. varia had higher IVDDM than did African and Indian at late bud and bloom stages. Indian and Flemish had higher CP than did Turkistan and Peruvian at late bud and bloom stages. Alfalfa germplasm sources differ in forage quality when comparisions are made within similar stages of phenological development.Joint contribution of the Dept. of Agronomy and USDA-ARS, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA. Contribution no. 90-475-J.     

Is the Companion Crop Harmless to Alfalfa Establishment in the Highlands of East Anatolia?

This study documented the effects of barley companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage on alfalfa establishment in a highland area. Alfalfa was established with barley at seeding rates of 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha^?1 and cut at the milk‐dough and ripe grain stages. In most cases, hay yield and composition of herbage were affected by companion crop seeding rate and cutting stage. Total hay yield increased from 3294 to 5131 kg ha^?1 when the companion crop seeding rate was increased from 0 to 180 kg ha^?1 at the milk‐dough stage. Legume and weed growth was suppressed by the companion crop during establishment, but using a barley companion crop decreased alfalfa plant losses in the seeding year. Few residual effects of barley were seen on hay yield in the subsequent year, but residual effects of companion crop treatments on weed suppression continued in all clippings of the second year. The results suggest that alfalfa should be sown with a barley companion crop in highland areas with adequate moisture. The seeding rate for barley is about the same as that for barley grown alone, and the companion crop could be harvested for hay or grain in the establishment year.     

Difference in Allelopathic Potential as Influenced by Root Periderm Colour of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Laboratory bioassay and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis were conducted to determine the allelopathic potentials of aqueous or methanol extracts from three different coloured sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)] cultivars by plant part. The aqueous extracts applied on filter paper significantly inhibited root growth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Aqueous leaf leachates at 40 g dry tissue l^?1 (g l^?1) from white sweet potato cultivar ‘Sinyulmi’ showed the highest inhibition against alfalfa, followed by yellow ‘Sinhwangmi’ and purple ‘Jami’. Alfalfa root growth was significantly inhibited by methanol extracts of the same plants as the concentration increased. Aqueous and methanol extracts from leaves showed the most inhibitory effect on alfalfa root growth followed by stems and roots. By means of HPLC analysis, leaf samples of sweet potato had the highest amount of phenolic compounds followed by stems and roots. Total content of these compounds was highest for leaf extracts (37.7 mg 100 g^?1), detected in EtOAc fraction, especially trans‐cinnamic acid (20.9 mg 100 g^?1). These results suggest that sweet potato plants are allelopathic and that their activities differ depending on plant part as well as root periderm colour.     

Effects of irradiance and juvenility on the selection of chrysanthemums

Summary Chrysanthemum morifolium seedlings and cuttings from those seedlings were grown to flowering at 17°C, short days (8 h) and two levels of irradiance (10 and 30 W m^–2). The cuttings flowered more readily than the seedlings at both irradiances, Especially at 10 W m^-2 many seedlings remained vegetative. The delay in flowering of the seedlings was accompanied by a higher number of leaves produced before flowering.The number of leaves produced by the seedling in excess of the number of leaves produced by the cutting from that seedling varied considerably between genotypes. The correlations between seedlings and the corresponding cuttings for days to flowering and number of leaves were low but generally significant.It is concluded that cuttings are preferred over seedlings in breeding programmes that aim at developing chrysanthemums for low light winter production.     

Biological Activity and Quantification of Suspected Allelochemicals from Alfalfa Plant Parts

Autotoxicity restricts reseeding of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) after alfalfa until autotoxic chemical(s) breaks down or is dispersed into external environments. A series of aqueous extracts from leaves, stems, roots and seeds of alfalfa ‘Vernal’ were bioassayed against alfalfa seedlings of the same cultivar to determine their autotoxicity. The highest inhibition was found in the extracts from the leaves. Extracts at 40 g dry tissue l^?1 from alfalfa leaves were 15.4, 17.5 and 28.7 times more toxic to alfalfa root growth than were those from roots, stems and seeds, respectively. A high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis with nine standard compounds showed that the concentrations and compositions of allelopathic compounds depended on the plant parts. In leaf extracts that showed the most inhibitory effect on root growth, the highest amounts of allelochemicals were detected. Among nine phenolic compounds assayed for their phytotoxicity on root growth of alfalfa, coumarin, trans‐cinnamic acid and o‐coumaric acid at 10^?3 m were most inhibitory. The type and amount of causative allelochemicals found in alfalfa plant parts were highly correlated with the results of the bioassay, indicating that the autotoxic effects of alfalfa plant parts significantly differed.     

不同硫水平对紫花苜蓿产量及生物学性状的影响

河北对苜蓿充分供应氮、钾、磷等其他营养的情况下,就不同硫营养水平对紫花苜蓿产量、生物学性状及再生速度的影响进行研究。结果表明：S2处理在现蕾期、初花期和盛花期的株高、茎粗、产量和增产效益最佳;S3处理的再生速度最大;茎叶比随着硫营养水平的不断增长逐渐下降。通过对各个性状的分析,得出在本试验条件下S2为硫肥最佳用量。     

Performance of Timothy-based Grass/Legume Mixtures in Cold Winter Region

This study sought to identify grass/legume mixtures that increase the yield and persistence of forage stands with improved nutritive quality in cold‐winter regions, compared with the standard mixture of timothy (Phleum pratense L.)/red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)/alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.). Timothy was mixed with either perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) or Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). The legumes in mixtures were red clover, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Averaged over three production years, the majority of mixtures had greater dry matter (DM) yields than the standard (8.35 t ha^?1). Timothy, grown alone and in three mixtures, outyielded the standard by 19–30 %. Yield reductions in mixtures over the 3‐year period were greatest with red clover, and least with bluegrass. Mixtures with alfalfa were highest in nitrogen (28.4 g kg^?1), while grasses grown alone (24.6 g kg^?1) and the standard mixture (25.1 g kg^?1) were the lowest in N. Mixtures with red clover or alfalfa had the least neutral detergent fibre (NDF), averaging 418 and 429 g kg^?1 respectively. Mixtures including white clover were initially low in NDF at 347 g kg^?1 in year 1 but increased to 550 g kg^?1 in year 3 as white clover composition declined in the sward.     

Selection for early flowering in progenies of interspecific crosses of ten species in the genus Dianthus

Summary Twenty-seven progenies of interspecific crosses, involving ten Dianthus spieces (D. caryophyllus, D. chinensis, D. superbus, D. barbatus, D. japonicus, D. brachyzonus, D. versicolor, D. trifasciculatus, D. serotinus and D. knappii) and some complex interspecific hybrids (Diantini genotypes and D. Allwoodii selections) were grown from seed under 8 hr days at two light intensities: 12 W/m² and 22 W/m². Observations on individual plants were made on vegetative development and date of flowering. After six months, 178 plants were selected from 23 seedling progenies and the resulting clones were compared under 22 W/m² and two photoperiods: 8 hrs and 24 hrs per day for a period of nearly six months. In the seedling stage, large differences were observed between progenies, e.g. in percentage generative plants (0–100%), plant length (3–78 cm) and plant fresh weight (0.5–68 g). Effects of light intensity were most pronounced in plant fresh weight (0.2–18 g in 12 W/m² and 0.5–68 g in 22 W/m²). Progenies of D. chinensis were the earliest to flower. Most progenies of crosses between D. superbus and D. barbatus segregated into flowering and non-flowering (rosetting) plants. In the clonal stage, most clones originating from non-flowering seedlings remained vegetative (rosetting), while all clones from flowering seedlings were either in flower or in bud within six months. Average dates of flowering of seedling progenies and of their clones were highly correlated, suggesting that selection on flowering date at the seedling stage is effective. High correlations were also found between the average flowering date of seedling progenies and the number and total weight of flowers harvested per plant in their clones within six months from planting. Overall effects of LD in the clonal stage were much less spectacular than the effects of light intensity in the seedling stage.     

不同秋眠类型苜蓿品种的生产性能研究

通过对国内外42个秋眠级为2~9级的紫花苜蓿品种4个生产年的研究, 探讨苜蓿秋眠级与生产性能的关系。结果表明: (1)不同秋眠级苜蓿的干物质产量均呈第4年≈第3年＞第1年＞第2年的趋势, 其中第2生长年(2003年)天气温度较低和降雨过量是其低产的直接原因; (2)在郑州地区, 4、2秋眠级苜蓿干物质产量显著高于非秋眠品种, 其他秋眠或半秋眠苜蓿产量也程度不同地高于非秋眠苜蓿; (3)不同秋眠级的苜蓿品种第1茬产量最高, 其次为第2、3、4茬, 第5茬产量最低; (4)苜蓿的秋眠级与年干物质产量、粗蛋白质(CP)含量呈负相关, 与粗纤维(CF)呈正相关, 认为郑州地区不宜选用非秋眠品种。     

Applications of Foliar Fertilizers Containing Glycinebetaine Improve Wheat Yields

Nitrogen availability and drought influence wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain yields in the semiarid and subhumid Pampas region of Argentina. The application of fertilizers containing osmoprotectants, such as glycinebetaine, to crop canopies might reduce crop losses caused by environmental stresses. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the effects on wheat grain yields of the foliar application of a commercial fertilizer with glycinebetaine, and (b) to establish, under farmers’ field conditions, the relation between soil properties and the productivity of wheat crops treated with the same product. Two experiments were conducted in the north‐western part of the Buenos Aires province of Argentina on Typic Hapludolls and Entic Hapludolls. In the first, the treatments were N fertilization (0, 23 and 46 kg ha^?1) and the foliar application to the wheat crop, in the vegetative stages, of a foliar fertilizer containing N, P, Zn and glycinebetaine (0 and 2.5 l ha^?1). The second experiment was carried out on 10 farmers’ fields, for each of which the treatment was the foliar application to the wheat crop, in the vegetative stages, of the same foliar fertilizer (0 and 2.5 l ha^?1). In both experiments, the grain yield, the individual grain weight, the number of grains per spike and the spike and plant density at the physiological maturity of the crops were determined. Soil organic matter (SOM) and available P were determined in each of the 10 fields of the second experiment. Wheat grain yields were increased by N fertilization and glycinebetaine treatment. The number of grains per spike was higher in the treatments with glycinebetaine application. In the farmers’ fields, the grain yields of the treatments with the application of the product with glycinebetaine were, on average, 18 % higher than those of the non‐treated plots, with greater responses at sites with low SOM levels. We conclude that, in subhumid regions with a dry period between the tillering and flowering stages of wheat, the foliar application of foliar fertilizers containing glycinebetaine at the vegetative stages of crop development enhances grain yields by increasing the number of grains per spike. This response is independent of the SOM level or the N fertilization rate.     

Evaluation of an Indian germplasm collection of the medicinal plant Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell by use of multivariate approaches

Twenty seven accessions of Bacopa monnieri collected from semi-temperate, subtropical and tropical environments at geographically distinct locations in India were examined for genetic variability carried in them at Lucknow, India in a semi-temperate environment. The accessions were grown in earthen pans, arranged in completely random block design, replicated four times, and observed for 13 qualitative and 24 quantitative characters, including bacoside-A content of herbage. On the basis of principal component and canonical variable analyses, the accessions could be grouped into seven clusters, of 2 to 6 accession sizes. The metroglyph analysis using five qualitative traits, cluster analysis and dendrogram drawn using D² data separated the clusters IV and V and cluster VII from all the others. The bacoside-A content of the herbage was found to be usually low in clusters of accessions possessing vigorous vegetative growth such as in cluster VII. It was also observed that some of the clusters included accessions having wide geographical origins. It was inferred that both the gross agroclimatic environment of a region and microenvironment in the vicinity of water bodies where a Bacopa monnieri genotype occurred must have interacted for the natural selection of the concerned genotype. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Regenerating salt tolerant saffron (Crocus sativus) using tissue culture with increased pharmaceutical ingredients

Due to its vegetative reproduction, saffron has a narrow genetic base and induced in vitro variations provide opportunities for expanding new cultivars. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sodium azide-induced variations in saffron’s corm culture in order to increase salt tolerance and pharmaceutical ingredients. Corm explants from the well-known ecotypes, Estahban and Kashmar, were subjected to various concentrations of sodium azide (NaN₃) (0.09, 0.12, and 0.22 mg L^?1) and NaCl (1.5, 2.5, and 4.0 dS equivalent to 0.07, 0.12, and 0.20 g NaCl in 100 mL water) in Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 1 mg L^?1 2-4-D, 1 mg L^?1 BAP, and 30 g L^?1 sucrose and in a second pot culture experiment. The active pharmaceutical ingredients (crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal) were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Variations in sodium azide-treated plants were more broadened for callus fresh weight (0.57–7.57 g), embryo weight (1.24–10.29 g), and regenerated seedlings (3.0–21.25) compared with those (0.12–3.77 g, 0.56–4.56 g, and 0.25–11.50, respectively) that were not treated with sodium azide. Under 0.20% salt, flowering failed in some of plants developed from sodium azide-untreated corms. HPLC analysis indicated wider ranges for crocin (11.92–18.03 mg g^?1), picrocrocin (8.99–14.76 mg g^?1), and safranal (2.13–7.36 mg g^?1) in sodium azide-treated plants compared to the ranges (0.0–16.1, 0.0–12.5, and 0.0–6.66 mg g^?1, respectively) in untreated plants. From a breeding perspective, induced variations found in this study would be useful to improve saffron’s quality and salt tolerance.     

Residual Effects of Rhizobium and Preplant N Fertilizer on Newly Established Alfalfa1

In areas where ineffective nodulation may be a problem, ‘starter’ nitrogen fertilization is often suggested as a useful management tool to sustain ineffectively nodulated seedling alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) until an effective population of Rhizobium can develop. Although ineffective nodulation has been reported from several locations around the world, there have been no studies examing this possibility. A field experiment was conducted during 1982 and 1983 on a Woodburn silt loam soil (Aquultic Argixeroll) which contained a symbiotically ineffective native population of Rhizobium meliloti Dang. This study examined the residual and interactive effects of preplant N fertilizer (0, 45, 90 kg N ha^?1) and inoculation on the N nutrition and yield of seedling alfalfa during the first year of growth. The sustaining effects of the fertilizer N were transient and resulted in decreased N₂ fixation until 35 days following harvest. It was concluded that during the establishment year, managerial emphasis should be placed on inoculation and not on N fertilization to obtain a consistent, economical source of N for herbage protein and dry matter production.