Des Moines, Iowa
January 20, 2009
Alfalfa, once considered a "one
size fits all" crop, now has a vast range of varieties growers
can choose from to select the right product for the right acre.
Experts at Pioneer Hi-Bred,
a DuPont business, say growers should review production
challenges and plant the variety that provides the best
protection.
Today's alfalfa varieties offer traits to defend the crop
against yield-threatening diseases such as Aphanomyces Race 2
and pests like nematodes.
"In recent years, alfalfa variety options have really expanded,"
says David Miller, director of Pioneer alfalfa breeding.
"Growers now have the option to choose from a complete lineup of
varieties that are tailored to various production concerns -
including disease and pest tolerance."
In the past, seed companies offered growers only a few
varieties. With the latest research and development tools,
specific traits can be selected and incorporated into the newest
products to provide growers with an array of choices to meet
their needs.
"Pioneer focuses on five main categories of varieties," says
Miller. "Each group has specific characteristics that can
benefit growers."
Pioneer's five groups consist of the muscle, forage quality,
leafhopper resistant, lodging resistant and western-adapted
varieties. The muscle group is the longstanding, traditional,
highest-yielding and most winterhardy varieties. These varieties
also have disease-resistance packages that allow the crop to be
broadly adapted across several environments.
"Pioneer® brand 55V48 is a great example of a muscle variety,"
says Miller. "This is a breakthrough 5 dormant, very winterhardy
variety adapted for the Midwest, Dairy Crescent and Canada."
Varieties in the forage quality group tend to be higher in
forage quality by 10 to 15 relative forage quality (RFQ) points
when compared to other variety groups.
"All varieties can provide high-quality forage with proper
harvest management," says Miller. "The varieties in this
particular group prove to be higher in relative forage quality
when harvested all together."
In combination with the muscle variety, these varieties would
allow growers to manage a harvest window and maturity window,
similar to planting different relative maturities in corn or
groups in soybeans.
The next category, the leafhopper-resistance varieties, yield
well under potato leafhopper pressure.
"University data has shown an advantage of planting this trait
compared to sprayed conventional varieties in areas where potato
leafhoppers cause significant damage in two to three cuts per
year," says Miller. "The economic benefits outweigh the
alternative risk management strategies."
Lodging is a concern for some growers. Lodging-resistant
varieties will stand longer and under a wider range of
conditions compared to other varieties. Lodging-resistant
alfalfas allow growers to cut closer, have less ash in their
feed because it's not run down to the ground, and increase
harvestable yield and quality.
"The final group is Pioneer's western-adapted group," says
Miller. This group was developed for specific needs, including
nematode, aphid and root rot resistance and other challenges
growers might see in the western U.S. Pioneer brand 54V09 has
performed exceptionally well in these areas and was developed
for a regrowth time to suit western hay production, which is
important to growers looking to capture the most from their
alfalfa crop."
A disease that seems to be making its way across high-producing
alfalfa areas, including Wisconsin and Minnesota, is Aphanomyces
root rot. Currently, Pioneer has a product that is highly
resistant to Aphanomyces Race 2. This fungal disease impacts
both yield and stand longevity.
"Alfalfa planting season is right
around the corner," says Miller. "It is important for a grower
to review their production challenges then choose a variety
based on that specific need."
Alfalfa has an industry standard for rating resistance levels to
diseases and pests. To learn more about Pioneer brand alfalfa
resistance levels or alfalfa varieties best suited for your
area, contact your local Pioneer sales professional or visit
www.pioneer.com/forages.
Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, is the world's leading
source of customized solutions for farmers, livestock producers
and grain and oilseed processors. With headquarters in Des
Moines, Iowa, Pioneer provides access to advanced plant genetics
in nearly 70 countries.
DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded
in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for
people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products and services for
markets including agriculture and food; building and
construction; communications; and transportation.
® Registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Bred. |
|
