Production of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) with Different Levels of Phosphate Fertilizer and Defoliation Interval

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate the production of alfalfa (dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF)) with different levels of fosfat fertilizer and defoliation interval. The research was carried out at Green House, Forage Crops Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Agriculture, Diponegoro University. The experiment was arranged in Completely Randomized Design using a 3x2 factorial pattern with four replications. The first factor was dosage of Phosphate fertilizer ( 0, 50 and 100 kg P2O5/ha). The second factor was defoliation interval (4 and 6 weeks after planting). Production of DM, CP and CF were measured. The results showed that there was no interaction between Phosphate fertilizer and defoliation interval. Production of DM, CP and CF was not affected by P fertilizer but affected by defoliation interval. It can be concluded that different levels of phosphate fertilizer and defoliation interval did not affect the production of DM, CP, and CF of alfalfa. Aplication of Phosphate fertilizer up to 100 kg P2O5/ha did not influence production of dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber of alfalfa. Six weeks defoliation interval increased production of dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber of alfalfa. Keywords: Alfalfa, Production, Phosphat fertilizer, defoliation