Effect of drip fertirrigation in 14 alfalfa varieties in the Mixteca region, Oaxaca

Abstract

Fourteen alfalfa varieties were grown in the Mixteca region of Oaxaca with a drip fertirrigation system (DFS) and results evaluated based on dry matter production, the leaf:stem ratio and plant height. A comparison was made with a traditional gravity irrigation system (GIS) in terms of the three production parameters and water and electricity use. Seed was sown at 30 kg ha-1 using a completely random block design with four replicates. Nutrient solution in the DFS was Steiner's universal solution adjusted to the needs of alfalfa. A total of 12 cuts were done during the 22-mo experimental period at an average interval of 45 d. No significant differences (P>0.05) between varieties were observed for dry matter production /cut-1 and the leaf:stem ratio, but eight varieties had significantly greater plant height (P<0.05). The Jíºpiter variety had the highest yield (4.4 DM ha- 1) and San Pablo Huixtepec the lowest (4.4 DM ha-1), the highest leaf:stem ratio was in the Moapa, Xoxocotlán and Etla varieties, the greatest plant height was in the Puebla 76 variety. During the hottest months, dry matter production and plant height were greatest, and the leaf:stem ratio was lowest (P<0.05). The DFS provided 50.2 % water savings, and lowered pump operation, electricity use and electricity cost by 169 % versus the GIS.