Alfalfa is the equal or superior of any other plants as a soil build-Alfalfa is a legume, and the legumes have the capacity through the bacteria, that cause nodules on the roots to fix the nitrogen from in the soil. On account of the deep and extensive root system alfalfaleaves much vegetable matter in the soil. This additional organic matter improves the physical and chemical condition of the soil.The deep, penetrating roots secure most of their plant foods from depths where the grasses do not penetrate. This rests the surface soil. Much plant food thus gathered from lower strata is kept near the surface of the soil. The second large advantage of alfalfa production is that it produces more hay per hectare annually than does timothy or clover. Alfalfa is readily eaten as a hay by practically all farm animals and for meat production, for growing animals, and for milk production it has no equal among the hay plants. Alfalfa is drought resistant. It will grow in the arid regions where few other good hay plants will grow. It can therefore be produced upon otherwise waste lands. Alfalfa is grown in order to produce alfalfa hay; and as has already been shown, alfalfa excels the other crops in producing nutrients for the growing animal. Alfalfa is extensively grown on account of the immense amount of protein it produces. Alfalfa produces almost twice as much protein per hectare as red clover does and four times as much as timothy or sugar beets. The high lime and protein content make alfalfa an excellent feed.
Factors Aiding Increased Yields of Alfalfa. The Soil.The kind of soil upon which alfalfa is grown is the first essential to successful alfalfa production. Rich bottom loams comprised of soils made of clays, silt and sand are best suited to alfalfa growing. The soil must be fertile, having plenty of humus and some lime-mellow and friable, and in first-class mechanical condition.
Alfalfa is sensitive to an acid or sour soil and will not grow in such a soil until the acidity is corrected by the addition of lime. The subsoil should be loose, pervious, and in a condition to admit the deep penetrating roots of the alfalfa plant. The roots of alfalfa are on an average 120 to 200 cm long and a soil that contains surface hard-pan will therefore not admit alfalfa roots. They will not penetrate a hard soil or subsoil. Alfalfa will not grow on wet soil. Deep, well-drained soils are required to secure the best results.
A Good Seed Bed.Seed bed preparation is an important factor in alfalfa production. The seed bed should be mellow but firm, and free from weed seeds. Ploughing and preparing the soil 6 or 8 weeks in advance of seeding, and cultivating it about a week after each rain, prepares the soil by giving the bacteria in the soil a longer chance to make plant foods available, and by destroying weed seeds. If the seed bed does not contain the bacteria which are essential to its growth, then the soil should be inoculated. The soil from the old-alfalfa field should be broadcasted without drying as soon as possible over the field to be inoculated. The work should be done on a cloudy day if possible, and the soil harrowed in immediately after it is scattered.
Cultivating Alfalfa.Cultivation of alfalfa is also an important factor in its production. The life period of alfalfa ranges from three to six years ordinarily. However under good care in some conditions it has grown for twenty-five or more years. Some varieties are longer-lived than others. Weeds are alfalfa's worst enemy. The disk harrow has been recommended as the best tool to eliminate weeds from alfalfa. The grasses and weeds must be kept out of alfalfa if it is to have a long life. Proper cultivation prevents the necessity of ploughing up alfalfa fields, and therefore reduces its production costs. Barn-yard manure may increase the alfalfa crop.