FALL DORMANCY ROOTING TYPE MULTIFOLIATE PHYTOPHTHORA ROOT ROT
4.4 Tap Root 80% HR
2.1 Tap Root 75% HR
4.0 Tap Root 51% HR
1.5 Creeping Root N/A R
2.0 Creeping Root N/A HR
4.0 Tap Root 76% HR
1.5 to 4.0 Creeping/Tap Root † †
Blend Tap Root † †
2.0 Tap Root N/A N/A
3.0 Tap Root N/A N/A
formed in the fall for spring regrowth may be killed.
These plants have fewer shoots for first cutting and
produce a lower yield.
• Fall dormancy: This is measured by determining
how tall alfalfa grows in the month following a
September 1 cutting. More dormant types will
remain short and low yielding through the fall period
no matter how good the growing conditions are.
Less dormant varieties typically yield more in the
fall, green up earlier in the spring and recover more
quickly between cuttings. Plant breeders have finally
broken the relationship between winterhardiness
and fall dormancy. Until recently, obtaining higher
yields meant selecting a variety with less dormancy
and lower winterhardiness. Now the strategy should
be to choose less dormant varieties that meet your
winter survival requirement. These plants will green
up earlier in the spring and recover more quickly
between cuttings to give higher total season yields.
• Forage quality: Many new varieties on the market
have improved forage quality. Evaluate alfalfa
varieties based on estimated digestibility, intake
and relative forage quality compared to standard
varieties.
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