Evaluating the yield performance of three medicago sativa cultivars under different planting methods in Zambezi region, Namibia

Abstract

Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops in the world, with the highest feeding value for animals compared to most hay crops. Namibia experiences regular drought posing extreme losses to farmers especially losses related to livestock. Alfalfa can mitigate such losses especially if production is done at a large scale. Information on adapted alfalfa cultivars remains scarce, together with suitable planting methods. Thus, the goal of the experimental study was to ascertain how well alfalfa cultivars performed in terms of dry matter production at the Bukalo ADC demo plot during the 2023 cropping season under two planting techniques (row and broadcast). The planting technique (row and broadcasting planting method) was the primary plot component in this split-plot experiment, while the cultivars (intermediate dormancy SA standard, winter active WL, and intermediate dormancy Aurora) were the sub-plot factors. To increase experimental precision, the experiment was replicated 4 times which gave 24 plots. Parameters measured were dry matter yield (DMY), fresh weight, plant height and crude protein. After verifying that the data satisfied the requirements of the ANOVA model adequacy checks, the data was submitted to parametric analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed statistical significance difference in plant height subject to planting methods (p = 0.020), and due to cultivars (p <.001). Row planting method gave the highest plant height means of (21.19cm) compared to 20.25cm under broadcasting method. Dry matter was not statistically significantly different across the different varieties and planting methods. However, more dry matter yield was recorded for winter active variety WL under row planting method (2.41t/ha) with the least being attained from intermediate dormancy variety Aurora under row planting (0.85t/ha) and the highest crude protein yield were observed under row planting method on which winter active cultivar WL 525 HQ exhibited the highest crude protein content of 23.26 % under row planting method with the least being attained from Aurora of 19.83% under row planting method. These preliminary findings revealed that winter active cultivar WL can be planted under row planting method for greater yield in northeastern Namibia and areas with similar agro-ecology zonation. However, we recommend further replication of the experiment at different ecology zonation of different soil types for more conclusive results.