Seeding rates and row spacings for three forage crops grown alone or in alternate grass-alfalfa rows in southwestern Saskatchewan

Russian wild ryegrass, crested wheatgrass and alfalfa were seeded either alone or in alternate grass-alfalfa rows at six seeding rates (17, 33, 50, 67, 83 and 100 seeds/m row) and at three row spacings (30, 60 and 90 cm). Dry matter yields were measured for 5 yr after the establishment year. Seeding rates did not interact with row spacings in any year. Greater yields from higher seeding rates were only apparent for all crops in the first harvest year. By the second year, seeding rate did not affect the yields of either grass grown alone and by the third year there was no effect of seeding rate on any crop. Narrow row spacings (30 cm) initially produced the highest yields. By the fifth year there had been a transition in yield advantage from the 30-cm rows through the 60-cm rows to the 90-cm rows and alternate grass-alfalfa stands were producing the highest dry matter yield. It was concluded that although forages could be seeded for long-term stands in southwestern Saskatchewan at rates as low as 17 seeds/m row and would result in yields as high as those from higher seeding rates, a rate of between 50 and 67 seeds/m row was more practical. Also, seeding forages in rows 90 cm apart would produce more forage in the long term than stands seeded in narrower rows.