Seeding Patterns Affect Grass and Alfalfa Yield in Mixtures

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)‐perennial grass mixtures are widely used; however, the influence of seeding patterns on mixture composition has not been evaluated for a diversity of grasses. Our primary objective was to determine the effect of seeding patterns on grass dry matter (DM) yield and composition of binary mixtures of alfalfa with orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss), and timothy (Phleum pratense L.). A field experiment was conducted on a Tallula silt loam (coarse‐silty, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludoll). The seeding patterns were 1:1, one row of grass/one row of alfalfa; 2:1, two rows of grass/one row of alfalfa; 3:1, three rows of grass/one row of alfalfa; mixed row, grass and alfalfa mixed within a row; and broadcast, grass and alfalfa broadcast. Total DM yield and botanical composition of reed canarygrass, timothy, and smooth bromegrass in mixtures were enhanced with a 3:1 seeding pattern compared with a 1:1, mixed row, or broadcast pattern. Orchardgrass yield and composition of mixtures were less affected by seeding pattern than other grasses but were least for the broadcast seeding pattern. Seeding in 1:1, alternate rows consistently increased smooth bromegrass composition of mixtures compared with mixing within a row or broadcasting. The broadcast and mixed row seeding patterns, which often had the least amount of grass, often had the greatest total yields, while the 3:1 seeding pattern that had the greatest amount of grass consistently had the least total forage yield. Producers can alter the composition and yield of perennial grass‐alfalfa mixtures by altering the seeding pattern; however, seeding pattern effects are influenced by grass species in the mixture.