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Interpretive Summaries:
Boron Nutrition Effects on Alfalfa Fiber Composition, 1996
Boron nutrition may impact the feeding value of alfalfa through its influence on plant lignin concentrations. An experiment was conducted in an established alfalfa stand in Breathitt county, Kentucky, as part of a three-state study with cooperators in Texas and Kansas. Extractable soil B was 0.79 lb/A, which indicated a potential for yield response to B. Phosphorus and potassium were applied according to University of Kentucky recommendations. Rates of 0, 2, and 4 lb/A of B were soil -applied in March. Boron did not significantly affect forage yield, nitrogen concentration, in vitro dry matter disappearance, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose, or acid detergent lignin levels at any harvest. Increasing the B rate tended to increase tissue nitrogen levels at the second harvest, but tended to decrease nitrogen levels similarly at the third harvest. Yields were lower than average, which may have influenced the opportunity to measure yield and quality differences. KY-08F
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