Learn About Legumes
Legumes – Well Drained Sites
Alfalfas
Basically, all varieties can be planted on irrigated land, however some may not have adequate disease resistance. Certain selected varieties are better suited to dryland production. These varieties are outlined as such below. Also, varieties have been developed for use in areas where root disease such as Phytopthora Root Rot, or Verticillium Wilt are a problem. We can discuss such varieties with you. Without a doubt, alfalfa is one of the most widely used and adapted forages in North America. Often referred to as the Queen of Forages, it dates back over 3,000 years ago to the Roman Empire, to areas with cold winters and hot summers. Alfalfa was introduced into the southwest US from Mexico by early missionaries. Some of the early improved varieties were Grimm, Cossack, and Ladak. Of these, Ladak and Ladak ’65 (introduced in 1965 by Montana State University for Bacterial Wilt Resistance) are still widely used in one-cut dryland areas. From the early improved varieties, plant breeders, both public and private, have done a superb job of releasing many new and improved varieties for increased yield, quality, persistence, winter-hardiness, recovery, disease and insect resistance or tolerance. More recently, breeders have released Roundup Ready (Glyphosate) resistant varieties. This technology allows the use of Roundup to control any invasive monocot or dicot in a stand of R R Alfalfa.
Dryland Alfalfa Varieties
Ladak Alfalfa
One of the original dryland type alfalfas, considered as truly drought tolerant. The root system of this variety is of a tap-root type thereby allowing the plants to reach to a greater depth for water. This variety normally produces a heavy first cutting. Subsequent cuttings will be significantly smaller unless additional moisture is received. It does very well at higher elevations and possesses excellent winter hardiness.
Ladak ’65 Alfalfa
A much improved Ladak ‘65 was released in 1965 by Montana State University. It was developed from selecting preferred characteristics from within the variety Ladak. This variety has consistently outyielded Ladak, and other major dryland varieties in Montana trials. When planted at the proper rates, it is a fine-stemmed leafy alfalfa. It is extremely winterhardy, and has a high resistance to bacterial wilt. Among the major alfalfa varieties, Ladak ’65 appears to be one of the most widely adapted to dryland conditions.
Pasture (Grazing) Varieties
Several public and proprietory varieties are available. Such varieties are drought tolerant and have a lower set crown to reduce damage to the crown from cattle and wheel traffic pressure. Some varietal claims indicate a creeping habit although that appears to be a controversial claim.
PGI 427 Alfalfa
A unique Target Seed variety with improved drought and salt tolerance. It has high disease resistance and good grazing and traffic tolerance.
Irrigated Alfalfa
Varieties
There are many good Proprietary Alfalfa varieties available. We primarily market varieties developed by Producers Choice (Target Seed) and WL Varieties (Forage Genetics). When choosing a Proprietary Alfalfa, choose a variety with the following attributes: 1) Winter Survival rating in the 2-3 range. 2) Fall Dormancy rating of 3-4. 3) Multi-Pest resistance (spotted and pea aphids) 4) High resistance to phytopthora root rot and aphanomyces, verticillum, fusarium and bacterial wilts. 5) High quality combined with superior yield. 6) Traffic compaction tolerance for better grazing adaptability. 7) Stem nematode resistance. (Note: Producer’s Choice has recently released varieties with improved drought and salt tolerance.)
Vernal Alfalfa
An old Wisconsin variety which has proved to be a hardy good producing variety. It is a wilt resistant variety which will normally outyield Ranger. It has generally replaced Ranger in many areas. Although Vernal is a good hardy variety, many of the newer proprietary varieties will outyield it, with the additional benefit of much better disease resistance.
Coated vs. Non Coated (Raw) Seed
Most private varieties are available as raw (pre-inoculated) or coated. There are several companies coating seed which use the same basic principle. Coated seed is pre-inoculated and coated with a clay-based, lime coating which incorporates Apron or similar fungicides for protection against seedling diseases until the genetic resistance kicks in. The coating is approximately 34% by weight, therefore coated seed is approximately 66% seed. Even though research shows that on a seed for seed basis, coated seed will result in better stands, we recommend increasing total pounds planted by approximately 10+ %. Thus cost per acre is very comparable; raw to coated seed. Coated seed will have a higher seedling survivability percentage, and better root development. The primary reason; the hygroscopic quality of the coating draws moisture to the seed for more uniform germination and the fungicide protects the new seedling from disease invasion (root rots, pythium, etc.) A couple of other advantages to coated seed: For broadcast applications, a more uniform application pattern is attained due to increased seed weight and secondly, if seed is blended with fertilizer (a common practice) the coating protects the inoculant from damage by fertilizer.
Clovers
Ladino
Produces good quality forage and is a good soil builder. It prefers well drained soils in a neutral pH range. Ladino is a mammoth strain of White Dutch Clover with a creeping habit via above ground stolons. With careful management it may persist for five years or more. It requires frequent irrigation for top yields. Winter hardiness is adequate.
Yellow Blossom Sweet Clover
A biennial strain best adapted to use on dryland areas for hay, pasture or soil building purposes. It is normally the least expensive of the clovers.
Red Clovers
These are short-lived, non-creeping perennial clovers. Generally, Red Clover, if planted early without a nurse crop, will produce the first year. Maximum production will be obtained the second year. Stands may not be worthwhile maintaining a third season. It is best suited to well drained, fertile soils with good moisture holding capacity. The Medium Red Clover types are “double cut” types, whereas the Mammoth types are “single-cut”.
White Dutch Clover
A long-lived, perennial clover which spreads by creeping stems. Since it has a prostrate growth habit, its most common use is in lawns, or for reclamation of disturbed pastures, where it will withstand heavy grazing. Production in pastures will be lower than most other clovers. It does best under cool, fertile and moist conditions but also does well on acidic, poorly drained soils.
Sainfoin
A deep-rooted, branched perennial, non-bloating, legume primarily adapted to dryland or limited irrigation on well drained higher pH soils. Since current varieties have little or no root rot resistance we do not recommend planting sainfoin on heavy textured irrigated soils. If planted on adapted soils, it has a long lived potential, and will equal or exceed alfalfa yields. Since sainfoin is non-bloating, it can be safely grazed, and can be planted with grass. Even though more coarse than alfalfa it actually is more palatable than alfalfa and is especially relished by Elk and Deer. Other advantages of sainfoin are its early spring greenup, tolerance of early frost, and its resistance to alfalfa weevil. Even though the seed is larger than alfalfa, it needs to be seeded at a depth of ½ to ¾ inch in a firm seedbed. Although not a proven nitrogen fixer, seed should be inoculated just prior to seeding. Since the seed is much larger than other legumes, seeding rates are approximately 34 p.l.s. #’s per acre. Several varieties currently available are: Eski - an older, but excellent variety with good adaption for Montana. Remont – an improved variety released by Montana State University for improved recovery, and therefore has been recommended as best for high precipitation or irrigated areas. Shoshone – a recent Eski type variety released by Wyoming. Delaney – A Remont type, released recently by Montana State University.
Legumes – Poorly Drained Sites
Alsike Clover
A short lived perennial clover which is quite well adapted for use in irrigated hay or pasture mixes. Although it is best adapted to slightly alkaline or neutral soils, it will perform better on slightly acid soils than most other clovers. The plants of Alsike are leafy and, under favorable conditions, may reach a height of two to three feet. Although a short-lived perennial, it does re-seed if allowed to mature and set seed.
Cicer Milkvetch
A perennial non-bloating legume particularly well adapted to use on wet areas where many varieties of alfalfa may not persist. It is rather slow to reach its maximum forage production. Once established it will yield at levels comparable to alfalfa. It is slow to establish, since it has a high hard seed percentage. Once established it is a very hardy and vigorous crop. It is strongly rhizomatous and spreads rapidly once established. It makes excellent fall pasture due to the fact it is non-bloating and that it resists frost damage better than alfalfa. Established stands are much later than alfalfa (2 – 3 weeks) to resume spring growth. Cicer can be used on higher moisture dryland sites and can be successfully grown on higher elevation sites of 4,500 – 7,000 feet. Several improved varieties are available.
Birdsfoot Trefoil
A long-lived, non-bloating, deep-rooted perennial adapted to irrigated areas. Its best use is for pasture, and can be mixed with non-competitive grasses. It will tolerate wet soils and a wide range of pH even acidic soils. Once established it will thrive under a wide variety of conditions. It is not as demanding in terms of moisture, soil fertility, etc., as most other legumes. Since it is not a good competitor during the seedling stage, it should not be planted with a nurse crop. Generally, yields of this legume will not equal those of alfalfa. Birdsfoot Trefoil may lack the necessary winter-hardiness for certain areas of northeastern and north-central Montana.