Dear Sir
The problem with planting too quickly is a condition called autotoxicity. Autotoxicity is where the old alfalfa plants that have been killed or allowed to decompose in the ground produce chemicals that inhibit germination of new plants resulting in a poor stand.
Reducing the amount of leaf by a fall cutting or a first cutting in May, will help reduce the leaves and perhaps lower the autotoxicity in stands killed by tillage. It will not work when herbicides are involved because the leaves are necessary for the chemical to be effective.
continue providing at least one growing season between alfalfa stands. The minimum is a fall kill with a spring seeding or a spring kill with a fall planting. spring plowing with a corn silage crop and alfalfa seeding in the fall. If corn is harvested for grain, alfalfa will need to be seeded the next spring.
Using rotation has more advantages than reducing autotoxicity problems.
Other benefits include weed, insect and disease suppression. The rotational crops can also utilize the nitrogen that has been fixed by the alfalfa.
Regards
Kirti
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