Selection of alfalfa varieties and cultivation techniques

Medicago sativa L. belongs to the cold-grass pasture and is commonly known as the "king of forages". It has a pet-sized root system and an efficient biological nitrogen fixation. It is the choice for the conversion of cropland to forest (grass) and planting industry in China. One of the most used forage crops. Variety selection: The most important criterion is the size of the fall dormancy index. The so-called fall dormancy refers to that, with the shortening of the illumination time in autumn, the weakening of the light intensity and the decrease of the temperature, the growth function of the plant is changed, and the performance is continued to increase or the nutrition is stored for the winter, thereby reflecting the strong cold resistance of the alfalfa. This is an important parameter for selecting varieties in different places. It is usually represented by 1~9. 1 is strong fall dormancy, strong adaptability, good cold resistance; 9 is no fall dormancy, strong resistance to high temperature, high humidity, rapid regeneration after castration, large potential for grass production. Northern China should choose a fall-behind index within 1 to 3, cold-resistant, drought-resistant varieties, such as Wang, Golden, Hopland, Caesar, Nongpo and so on. In the northern part of North China, Central Plains and Huang-Huai-Hai areas, autumn dormancy indexes with 4-6 fall dormancy indices are more suitable. Indexes with 7 to 9 varieties have more potential for grass production in the south and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In addition, suitable varieties should be determined based on the purpose of planting, soil conditions, and management level, with reference to crude protein content, grass production, resistance to pests and diseases, and further relative digestible nutrient values. Grasshoppers are perennial crops and whether wintering is a prerequisite for successful planting. Sowing technique points: The root system is deeply rooted in soil, and the soil with deep, dry, well-drained calcareous soil is preferred. The cultivation and planting techniques do not require high technology. Under natural conditions (planted in the drylands in the northern regions), in areas above 350 mm of precipitation, good planting can be achieved with the sowing of rainwater. Farming areas, such as supplementary irrigation, can produce high yields. In the southern acid soil areas, lime should be periodically applied to reduce the acidity of the soil, and the control of pests and diseases cannot be ignored. Seedbed preparation: Land preparation should be done with deep plowing and cultivating. Virtually adjust the land leveling operation according to the irrigation method to ensure that the entire field is evenly distributed. Alkaline land should pay attention to irrigation and drainage. The seedbed is kept as weed-free as possible, and the soil maintains a suitable sensation. Poor soil should be applied with a proper amount of base fertilizer to facilitate the early formation of root nodules. Sowing date: Spring sowing, summer sowing, autumn sowing or sowing in winter. In spring sowing, it can be sown when the soil temperature is stable above 5°C. Areas where droughts in spring, late frosts are late, and windy sands are abundant may be sown by rainwater sowing or irrigation. Summer sowing should use short-season cereals or oil crops as cover seeding or nesting. In autumn, the operation should be completed about 60 days before the onset of the initial frost period to ensure that the seedlings will safely pass winter. Winter sowing often adopts winter sow seeding method. Sowing: There are points for seeding and broadcasting. Concentration 2 ~ 3 cm (clay not more than 2 cm is appropriate); received grass field commonly used seeding, row spacing 30 cm evenly clothed, after sowing suppression and protection. Seedling field protection; when temperature and moisture are suitable, sprouting will begin around 15 days. Seedlings should ensure that the soil is suitable for conservation. When the three seedlings grow out of three compound leaves, timely irrigation is controlled to promote root development. Seedling growth is slow, spring sowing is vulnerable to weeds, pay attention to remove weeds and maintain soil moisture. Summer sowing pay attention to shade sun protection; autumn sowing pay attention to the growth period of seedlings, the water before the frozen foot irrigation, can freeze and drought, enhance seedlings overwintering ability. Adult management in Putian: fertilizing, weeding, weeding, irrigation and drainage, pest control and timely harvesting are important measures for achieving high yields. Two crops a year (Shaanxi, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, etc.) should be dominated by weed control and increase the number of cutting; saline-alkali soil should focus on reducing soil salinity and groundwater level; (Northeast and North China) to prevent freezing damage and ensure plant density in the grasslands. In the early flowering stage of the bud, castrated, leaving about 5 cm in height, 30 days before the frost should stop castration. Immediately after each castration should be watered, such as top-dressing phosphorus and potassium compound fertilizer, better grass production.