Source: UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE submitted to
RESTORING GRASSLANDS WITH THE ADDITION OF ALFALFA IN AN EFFORT TO SUSTAINABLY INCREASE ALFALFA PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTHEAST
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1020753
Grant No.
2019-70005-30281
Cumulative Award Amt.
$498,990.00
Proposal No.
2019-02834
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2019
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2023
Grant Year
2020
Program Code
[AFRP]- Alfalfa and Forage Program
Project Director
Oakes, R. N.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
2621 MORGAN CIR
KNOXVILLE,TN 37996-4540
Performing Department
Plant Science - RES
Non Technical Summary
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most valuable forage crops grown in the world, and is the third most valuable field crop produced in the U.S., currently valued at around US$ 9 billion (NASS, 2017). One of the most important characteristics of alfalfa is its high nutritive value as an animal feed, with 15 to 22% CP (crude protein). It is adapted over most of the U.S., and it is suitable across a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Alfalfa was once a preeminent forage in the Southeast United States, but various factors including poor management and environmental conditions contributed to a production decline in the region. Recent work with alfalfa mixtures has revealed new opportunities for alfalfa in the Southeast, and the development of new varieties has contributed to the ability to overcome production challenges.In the Southeast, the dominant pasture forage species are tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub], orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). However, many of the pastures across this region are in need of renovation or restoration due to forage stand loss caused by poor forage management. One of the best ways to improve both forage yield and nutritive value on low producing grass pastures is to periodically renew or restore them (Johnson et al., 2007), and the most successful way to adequately restore a pasture is by the introduction of desired forage species, such as alfalfa. There are many benefits of legume-restored pastures, including reduced use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, increased CP and overall forage nutritive value, improved forage digestibility, improved livestock performance and a better seasonal distribution of forages, considering that cool-season legumes are more productive during spring and summer than both cool and warm-season grasses (Johnson et al., 2007).Livestock producers, especially cow-calf and stocker systems that are commonly found in the region, have the most to benefit from pasture restoration. Benefits could come in the form of a lower cost system maintaining current production or a more productive system with improved efficiency. Renovating grass pastures is an effective way to increase forage production throughout the growing season. Studies have shown that the cost of the additional yield associated with pasture renovation is well below what it would cost to purchase that forage as hay, and with the inclusion of alfalfa in these pastures there would be an expected increase in forage quality and intake potential (Cuomo et al., 1999). These costs and potential revenues can be measured using findings from the proposed project and available market price data and then compared to commonly utilized practices.There is a rising interest on expanding alfalfa production in the Southeast, but many producers are still hesitant to grow alfalfa due to a lack of management recommendations appropriate to the Southeastern environmental conditions. Interseeding alfalfa with forages that are commonly cultivated in the South, such as bermudagrass, tall fescue and orchardgrass, can encourage producers to adopt this system, expanding alfalfa production in the humid-transition zone. Following forage management recommendations in alfalfa-grass mixtures is pertinent to success, resulting in higher productivity and higher quality. Additional results from a study led by PD Dr. Nave Oakes determined that regardless of the alfalfa component yield in the mixture, the overall nutritive value of the canopy increased, which can then reduce the need of N fertilizer application (unpublished data). Additionally, Co-PD Tucker's program in Georgia recently conducted a three year evaluation of the yield and forage quality of alfalfa-bermudagrass mixtures in comparison to bermudagrass monocultures. Results from this producer-led commodity funded project determined that the addition of alfalfa improved forage quality of all parameters, even in years of high weed infestation, and that by year three yield of alfalfa mixtures had surpassed bermudagrass monoculture stands receiving synthetic nitrogen (unpublished data).
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2050780107050%
2051640310050%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
0780 - Grasslands, other; 1640 - Alfalfa;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology; 3100 - Management;
Goals / Objectives
The specific goal of this project is to develop a multi-location study aiming to introduce alfalfa to restore and renovate poor stands of cool and warm-season grasses under different management strategies. To achieve the overarching goal, the project will look to:expand alfalfa production in the Southeastern humid-transition zone,improve yield and forage quality of pastures,extend the grazing season and reduce hay feeding,reduce the need for N (nitrogen) fertilization, andincrease profitability in the system.Our specific objectives are:Objective 1: To identify how different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control and soil quality.Objective 2: To determine the potential economic benefits of introducing alfalfa into grass pastures for livestock producers in the U.S. humid transition zone.Objective 3: To develop an extension program to help educate agents and producers about successful strategies in restoring low producing grass pastures with alfalfa.
Project Methods
The research will be conducted at the University of Tennessee Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center (Spring Hill), and at the University of Georgia Coastal Plains Experiment Station Beef Unit (Tifton) and the University of Georgia Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center (Calhoun), from October 2019 to September 2021. A grazing tolerant cultivar of alfalfa (Ameristand 403T and Bulldog 805) will be interseeded into existing swards of perennial grasses, with or without the addition of crabgrass. In Tennessee, existing tall fescue and orchardgrass swards in need of renovation will be used, whereas in Georgia, existing tall fescue and bermudagrass will be used. At all sites for objectives 1 and 2, individual plots (5 x 15 m) will be established with each species combination. During the establishment year (2019-2020), all plots will be harvested as needed. Soil testing analyses will be done to measure pH and nutrient status. Maintenance P, K and Boron fertilization will also be applied based on the soil testing analyses.To account for weather and pests problems leading to large differences in renovation strategies, individual plots (5 x 15 m) will be established again the following year at different locations within each research and education center of Tennessee and Georgia, and conducted for two consecutive years each (beyond the grant funding period).Objective 1: Identify how different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control, and soil quality (Key personnel - Nave-Oakes, Tucker). The experimental design will be a split-plot arrangement of a complete block design with four replicates. The treatments will consist of two existent perennial grass pastures (tall fescue and orchardgrass in TN; tall fescue and bermudagrass in GA) and six renovation strategies: 1) control with no renovation, 2) synthetic N fertilization, 3) fall seeding of alfalfa, 4) spring seeding of alfalfa, 5) fall seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass, and 6) spring seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass. Crabgrass will be used in some treatments (as described) as a control for the research as we anticipate that it will likely be a dominant species in the pasture setting, while being able to capture the potential of crabgrass and alfalfa mixtures as a renovation technique.After establishment, monthly, a 0.1-m2 grid will be randomly placed in three locations within each individual plot to measure botanical composition (forage grass species, alfalfa, broadleaf weeds, grassy weeds). Forage yield will be measured by cutting a strip from the center of each plot using a harvester set to leave a 7-cm stubble. Fresh weight of the harvested forage will be recorded. A subsample from each strip will be weighed fresh and dried at 60oC to constant weight to convert the total aboveground fresh weight to dry matter yield. Then subsamples will be ground through a 1-mm screen in a Wiley mill (Thomas-Wiley Laboratory Mill Model 4, Arthur H. Thomas Co., Philadelphia, PA) and analyzed for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and NDF digestibility (NDFD) using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). Data at each location will be analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Institute, 2012).Soil cores (~8-cm diameter) will be taken randomly in each plot to a depth of 60-cm and divided into samples by depth (0-15, 15-30, 30-45, and 45-60 cm). Three soil cores per plot will be taken each year (at establishment and fall of year post-establishment. Samples will be kept frozen in plastic sample bags before being washed. Roots will be washed separately for each soil depth to determine root biomass distribution. Root samples will be separated, transferred onto a sieve and washed again with water to remove fine mineral particles. Root biomass will then be dried to a 50oC constant weight and results of root biomass will be given on an ash-free basis. Soil samples (by depth) will be similarly collected and analyzed for soil pH, total N and carbon (C), and labile organic matter (e.g., POM-C and N, POx-C) as measures of soil quality using methods as in Eichler Inwood et al. (2015).Objective 2: Determine the potential economic benefits of introducing alfalfa into grass pastures for livestock producers in the U.S. humid transition zone (Key personnel - Nave-Oakes, Griffith, Tucker).Production records will be kept each year to quantify total costs of production from the establishment of mixtures through the entire project. We will analyze cost of renovation and maintenance for each of the six treatments described in Objective 1. These records will be used to calculate and demonstrate the relative economic viability of the different treatments. This will allow us to construct enterprise budgets comparing the cost of pasture renovation by including alfalfa under different management strategies and goals (such as comparisons among grass species and types of forage mixtures). Having economic assessments along with the production records will be an important tool for livestock producers to evaluate the most economically feasible option for their operating system.Going beyond analyzing costs of pasture renovation, we will construct an economic analysis to help demonstrate the relative value of managing grass-legume pastures. We will analyze the cost of renovation for each of the proposed treatments and the projected annual net returns during two years. Additionally, we will compare the potential costs associated with renovating pastures with the addition of alfalfa with or without crabgrass. This will provide producers with information on the costs and benefits associated with the management methods proposed versus the potential costs associated with less sustainable practices (such as reestablishing pastures or utilizing only synthetic N fertilizers).A key objective of this study is to determine the cost of establishing and maintaining the forage production system. Partial budgeting will be used to compare forage production costs from the different systems. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis will be performed on key cost categories that are identified through the field work.Forage production data will be used to estimate and compare the number of cattle grazing days and potential beef production in the alternative forage systems This will provide a method to estimate a break-even price for the alfalfa systems.

Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience for this project were professionals, scientists and students. Efforts included internship, field days, professional presentations, field practicum experiences and classroom materials. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: The project investigators and the students have completed all analyses on the project and were able to train undergraduate students on conducting these analyses. There were also training activities provided by the PI one-on-one with students and post-doc. Professional development: Activities for the reporting period included study groups and individual studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?During the last year of this project, afield day showcasing the study was held in Georgia were both PIs were able to present results from the project. There wasan, audience of over 150 members. The study was also presented at the International Forage Congress in Kentucky, and at the American Society of Agronomy in St Louis, Missouri What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: To identify how different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control and soil quality. Major activities completed / experiments conducted in Tennessee and Georgia: Both field experiments were completed (Tennessee and Georgia). The M.S. student in Georgia graduated at the end of Summer 2023, and undergraduate interns were able to finish analyzing all samples for the project. Manuscripts are currently being prepared for publication. Objective 2: To determine the potential economic benefits of introducing alfalfa into grass pastures for livestock producers in the U.S. humid transition zone. For Objective 2, a student has been hired and has completed all the analyses on the project, and currently a manuscript is being prepared to report the economic benefits of the project. Objective 3: To develop an extension program to help educate agents and producers about successful strategies in restoring low producing grass pastures with alfalfa. For Objective 3, a field day showcasing the study was held in Georgia were both PIs were able to present results from the project. There was an, audience of over 150 members.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Almeida, O.G., and R.L.G. Nave. 2023. Forage nutritive value of orchardgrass mixed with alfalfa and crabgrass. International Annual Meetings ASA-CSSA-SSSA  St. Louis/MO.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Almeida, O.G., and R.L.G. Nave. 2023. Introduction of alfalfa in already established pastures contributing to forage production and the sustainability of the system. 25th International Grassland Congress  Kentucky/USA.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Whatley, K. 2023. Restoring Southeastern bermudagrass pastures: an evaluation of alfalfa establishment timing and crabgrass inclusion.


Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audient for this reporting period of this project were professionals, scientists and students. Efforts for this reporting period included practicum experiences, internships and field days. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: The project investigators and the graduate studenthave assisted graduate and undergraduate interns and technicians in developing the research and field methodologies. There were also training activities provided by the PI one-on-one with students and post-doc. Professional development: Activities for the reporting period included study groups and individual studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A field day showcasing the study was held at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center took place in September, 2022, with an audience of approximately 150 county agents and producers. The study was also presented a three different professional conferences in 2022. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Since the field experiment has been completed, we plan to finish the nutritive value, soil and statistical analyses of the entire. Furthermore, the economic analysis would be completed, and as a result, we will be able to calculate and demonstrate the relative economic viability of the different treatments for each year, the projected annual net returns for two years, and comparison of the potential costs on the renovating pastures mixed with alfalfa with or without crabgrass. The determination of the cost of establishing and maintaining the renovated forage systems ultimately will be useful when producers and extension agents make decisions on restoring poor grass-based pastures. Starting in 2023, all data will be analyzed, organized, and statistical analysis will be conducted. This information will be helpful for regional in-service extension agents and producers and will be presented at field days and conferences. We also hope to publish the research results including newsletter, fact sheets, and opeer-reviewed publications. Finally, we plan to present and publishdata and information with added economic analysis to determine the benefits and environmentally sustainable practices for producers to restore and renovate forage and livestock production systems in the Southeastern U.S.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: To identify how different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control and soil quality. Major activities completed / experiments conducted in Tennessee and Georgia: We proceeded to conduct the second year of sampling of the second establishment site, therefore concluding the field portion of this trial. A M.S. student was hired and has been working on the project site at the University of Georgia. Meanwhile, two graduate Brazilian students were hired to work on the last year of the project, collecting samples, processing samples and analyses and also preparing data for analyses and writing of future manuscripts. Data collected: In Tennessee and Georgia, a last year of sampling was conducted on the plots established in 2020, following the same protocol previously reported. In April 2022, the first monthly sampling occurred. A 1 ft2 grid was randomly placed in three locations within each individual plot, and all vegetation was handclipped to ground level to measure botanical composition. Plant height measurements were taken of alfalfa and dominant grass. Forage mass production was measured by cutting a strip from the center of each plot using a harvester at a 7-cm stubble height. Fresh weight from the harvested sample was recorded and then subsample from each strip was weighted and dried at 60°C, then weighted again in order to get dry matter mass. Approximately 100 g of soil was taken from each remaining air-dried soil core, then placed in aluminum tray to dry in oven at 105°C for 48 hours, in order to determine soil water content. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to all its designated plots of both tall fescue and orchardgrass, at the rate of 60 lb/acre In May, monthly sampling was conducted for the second time, following same protocols explained above. At the end of the experimental pertiod, soil sampling also occurred with 48 soil cores with 8-cm diameter and 60-cm depth sampled by using a Gidding Hydraulic probes for each plot, then stored at 4°C. Subsequently, soil samples were processed. Each of the soil core were cut into 4 sections by 15-cm depth, then subsamples of each section were taken and stored in freezer for future Nitrogen analysis. The rest of the core were weighted, air-dried, and bagged for future root extraction. Objective 2: To determine the potential economic benefits of introducing alfalfa into grass pastures for livestock producers in the U.S. humid transition zone. For Objective 2, a student has been hired to start analyses on the project, and more will be reported at a later time. Objective 3: To develop an extension program to help educate agents and producers about successful strategies in restoring low producing grass pastures with alfalfa. For Objective 3, a field day showcasing the study was held at the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center took place in September, 2022, with an audience of approximately 150 county agents and producers.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Tucker, J.J., Oakes, R.N., Whatley, K., and Baxter, L. Restoring grasslands with the addition of alfalfa in an effort to sustainably increase alfalfa production in the Southeast, U.S. World Alfalfa Congress, San Diego, CA, 2022.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Oakes, R.N. and Tucker, J.J. Restoring grasslands with the addition of alfalfa in an effort to sustainably increase alfalfa production in the Southeast, U.S. National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance, East Lansing, MI, 2022.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Sousa, M.K.C.R., Oakes, R.N., and Almeida, O.G. Root biomass soil dynamics in cool-season swards interseeded with alfalfa. Crop Science Society of America International Conference, Baltimore, MD, 2022.


Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audient for this reporting period of this project were professionals, scientists and students. Efforts forthis reporting period included practicum experiences and internships. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: The project investigators and the post-doctoral assistant have assisted undergraduate interns and technicians in developing the research and field methodologies. There were also training activities provided by the PI one-on-one with students and post-doc. Professional development: activities for the reporting period included study groups and individual studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In order to successfully complete this research, we plan to finish thesecond year of the new established plots (planned for October 2022), following the same protocols described above. Furthermore, the economic analysis would be completed, and as a result, we will be able to calculate and demonstrate the relative economic viability of the different treatments for each year, the projected annual net returns for two years, and comparison of the potential costs on the renovating pastures mixed with alfalfa with or without crabgrass. The determination of the cost of establishing and maintaining the renovated forage systems ultimately will be useful when producers and extension agents make decisions on restoring poor grass-based pastures. Starting in 2022, alldata will be analyzed, organized, and statistical analysis will be conducted. Thisinformation will be helpful for regional in-service extension agents and producers and will be presented at field days and conferences. By the end of second year of this project, the research results will be available in multiple media style, including videos that share through social media and webinars, newsletter, fact sheets, and other timely information print that would contribute in extension educational material database. Finally, after the completion of this two establishment-year project with all three objectives, we should successfully have presented data and information with added economic analysis to determine the benefits and environmentally sustainable practices for producers to restore and renovate forage and livestock production systems in the Southeastern U.S.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: To identify how different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control and soil quality. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; In Tennessee and Georgia • The experimental site identified the second establishment location at both the University of Tennessee Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill, TN, and at the University of Georgia Tiftton Campus and Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center. The project design was implemented in all locations described above. New plots of alfalfa were interseeded into existent swards of tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), with or without the addition of crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Both swards were identified based on its renovation needs. Individual plots of approximately 5 x 15m were established with the following treatments: 1) control with no renovation, 2) synthetic N fertilization, 3) fall seeding of alfalfa, 4) spring seeding of alfalfa, 5) fall seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass, and 6) spring seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass. • The postdoctoral research assistant (Dr. Yedan Xiong), continued to work on this project up until the end of October 2021. • Soil in the new establishment areas described above were tested. 2) Data collected: In Tennessee and Georgia: A second year of sampling was conducted on the plots established in 2019/2020, following the same protocol previously described. In October 2020 the second planting for the new establishment occurred. Fall seeded alfalfa treatment was planted by using a Hege 1000 no-till plot drill, with seeding rate of 20lb/acre and ¼ in-depth. The spacing was 14-in. On November 5, 2020boron fertilizer was applied at a rate of 2 lb/acre after mixing with sand to facilitate application. Boron was applied to all fall seeded alfalfa plots. Also inNovember 2020 potash fertilizer was applied at rate of 60 lb/acre to all plots, as recommended based on nutrient status report. In December of 2020, monthly scouting, after two frosting events, alfalfa was hard to observe, especially in tall fescue plot. On March 6, 2021 spring seeded alfalfa was planted by using a Hege 1000 no-till plot drill, with seeding rate of 20lb/acre, in ¼ in-depth. The spacing was 14-in apart. Boron fertilizer was applied at rate of 2 lb/acre after mixing with sand to all spring seeded alfalfa plots. Fall seeded alfalfa was spotted in both tall fescue and orchardgrass plots; spring seedied alfalfa seedlings were also observed. Soil sampling also occurredwith 48 soil cores with 8-cm diameter and 60-cm depth sampled by using a Gidding Hydraulic probes for each plot, then stored at 4°C. Subsequently, soil samples were processed. Each of the soil core were cut into 4 sections by 15-cm depth, then subsamples of each section were taken and stored in freezer for future Nitrogen analysis. The rest of the core were weighted, air-dried, and bagged for future root extraction. InApril 2021,thefirst monthly sampling occurred for the new established plots, and the for the second year of data on the first established plots. A 1 ft2 grid was randomly placed in three locations within each individual plot, and all vegetation was hand-clipped to ground level to measure botanical composition. Plant height measurements were taken of alfalfa and dominant grass. Forage mass production was measured by cutting a strip from the center of each plot using a harvester at a 7-cm stubble height. Fresh weight from the harvested sample was recorded and then subsample from each strip was weighted and dried at 60°C, then weighted again in order to get dry matter mass. Approximately 100 g of soil was taken from each remaining air-dried soil core, then placed in aluminum tray to dry in oven at 105°C for 48 hours, in order to determine soil water content. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to all its designated plots of both tall fescue and orchardgrass, at the rate of 60 lb/acre In May,monthly sampling was conducted for the second time, following same protocols explained above. For objectives 2 and 3, there is nothing to report at the moment, since no economic analyses or extension program have initiated.

Publications


    Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20

    Outputs
    Target Audience: Target audiences:For this reporting period the target audience for the project were professionals, scientists and students. Efforts:For this reporting period, the efforts included practicum experiences and internships. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training activities: The project investigator and the post-doctoral assistant have assisted undergraduate interns and technicians in developing the research and field methodologies. There were also training activities provided by the PI one-on-one with students and post-doc. Professional development:activities for the reporting period included study groups and individual studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In order to successfully complete this research, we plan to conduct the study for a second year (2021), following the same protocols described above. Also, in order to test validity and establishment accuracy, another tall fescue and orchardgrass swards will be identified and re-established so that establishment can also be evaluated (as described in the funded proposal). Furthermore, the economic analysis would be completed, and as a result, we will be able to calculate and demonstrate the relative economic viability of the different treatments for each year, the projected annual net returns for two years, and comparison of the potential costs on the renovating pastures mixed with alfalfa with or without crabgrass. The determination of the cost of establishing and maintaining the renovated forage systems ultimately will be useful when producers and extension agents make decisions on restoring poor grass-based pastures. Starting in November of 2020, as the data being analyzed and organized, and statistical analysis will be conducted. This initial information will be helpful for regional in-service extension agents and producers and will be presented at field days and conferences. By the end of second year of this project, the research results will be available in multiple media style, including videos that share through social media and webinars, newsletter, fact sheets, and other timely information print that would contribute in extension educational material database. Finally, after the completion of this two-year project with all three objectives, we should successfully have presented data and information with added economic analysis to determine the benefits and environmentally sustainable practices for producers to restore and renovate forage and livestock production systems in the Southeastern U.S.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: To identifyhow different management strategies in restoring poor stands of grass pastures with alfalfa will influence yield, forage nutritive value, pest and weed control and soil quality. 1) Major activities completed / experiments conducted; In Tennessee and Georgia The experimental site was identified at the University of Tennessee Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill, TN, and at the University of Georgia Tiftton Campus and Northwest Georgia Research and Education Center. The project design was implemented in all locations described above.Alfalfa was interseeded into existent swards of tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub] and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), with or without the addition of crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Both swards were identified based on its renovation needs. Individual plots of approximately 5 x 15m were established with the following treatments: 1) control with no renovation, 2) synthetic N fertilization, 3) fall seeding of alfalfa, 4) spring seeding of alfalfa, 5) fall seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass, and 6) spring seeding of alfalfa + summer seeding of crabgrass. A postdoctoral research assistant (Dr. Yedan Xiong), was identified and scheduled hired to start work on the project in early October, 2019. Soil in the areas described abovewas tested was or both swards to measure nutrient status and pH. 2) Data collected; In Tennessee: On October 16, 2019 the first planting occurred. Fall seeded alfalfa treatment was planted by using a Hege 1000 no-till plot drill, with seeding rate of 20lb/acre and ¼ in-depth. The spacing was 14-in. On October 23, 2019, first alfalfa seedlings were observed. On November 5, 2019 boron fertilizer was applied at a rate of 2 lb/acre after mixing with sand to facilitate application. Boron was applied to all fall seeded alfalfa plots. On November 6, 2019 potash fertilizer was applied at rate of 60 lb/acre to all plots, as recommended based on nutrient status report. On November 22, 2019 alfalfa seedlings were observed measuring approximately 1-in tall. December 18 monthly scouting, after two frosting events, alfalfa was hard to observe, especially in tall fescue plot. On January 27, 2020 monthly scouting, winter weeds dominated most tall fescue plot, including yarrow, purple dead-nettle, henbit, and bittercress. The major weeds in orchardgrass plot were plantain and white clover. On March 6, 2020 spring seeded alfalfa was planted by using a Hege 1000 no-till plot drill, with seeding rate of 20lb/acre, in ¼ in-depth. The spacing was 14-in apart. Boron fertilizer was applied at rate of 2 lb/acre after mixing with sand to all spring seeded alfalfa plots. On March 16, 2020 fall seeded alfalfa was spotted in both tall fescue and orchardgrass plots; spring seedied alfalfa seedlings were also observed. Soil sampling also occurred on this date with 48 soil cores with 8-cm diameter and 60-cm depth sampled by using a Gidding Hydraulic probes for each plot, then stored at 4°C. On March 17, 2020 soil samples were processed. Each of the soil core were cut into 4 sections by 15-cm depth, then subsamples of each section were taken and stored in freezer for future Nitrogen analysis. The rest of the core were weighted, air-dried, and bagged for future root extraction. On April 11, 2020 fall seeded alfalfa was observed in the plots. Spring seeded alfalfa in tall fescue plot grew up to 1-2 inch tall, whereas seedlings in orchardgrass remained at ground level (less than 0.5 inch). On April 14, 2020 first monthly sampling occurred. A 1 ft2 grid was randomly placed in three locations within each individual plot, and all vegetation was hand-clipped to ground level to measure botanical composition. Plant height measurements were taken of alfalfa and dominant grass. Forage mass production was measured by cutting a strip from the center of each plot using a harvester at a 7-cm stubble height. Fresh weight from the harvested sample was recorded and then subsample from each strip was weighted and dried at 60°C, then weighted again in order to get dry matter mass. On April 21, 2020 approximately 100 g of soil was taken from each remaining air-dried soil core, then placed in aluminum tray to dry in oven at 105°C for 48 hours, in order to determine soil water content. On April 22, 2020, nitrogen fertilizer was applied to all its designated plots of both tall fescue and orchardgrass, at the rate of 60 lb/acre On May 12, 2020 monthly sampling was conducted for the second time, following same protocols explained above. In Georgia: October 2019 BG Fall plots were mowed to a 2" cutting height and sprayed with glyphosate to induce dormancy Fall plots were planted into both forage bases following protocol on October 24, 2019 Fertilizer was applied based on soil sample analysis November 2019 Alfalfa germination and emergence confirmed on November 4, 2019. Insecticide applied following emergence following protocol recommendations December 2019 Plots were scouted for growth and pest issues throughout establishment February 2020 Spring plots were prepared for planting following protocol March 2020 Spring plots were established in both forage bases on Mar 9, 2020. Germination and Emergence were confirmed Mar 18, 2020 Insecticide applied following emergence following protocol recommendations April 2020 Plots were scouted for growth and pest issues May 2020 It was determined that pest pressure from volunteer weeds was significant enough to warrant cutting based on competition rather than stage of alfalfa production Plots were evaluated and a clean off cut implemented on all plots due to excessive weed pressure: dominate weed species included clover, ryegrass, marestail, buttercup, and volunteer wheat. Soil samples were pulled from each plot to determine nutrient status within treatment. All plots were mowed at a 4" height and data collection is set to being mid-June and continue on a one-month interval. 3) Summary statistics and discussion of results; Nothing to report 4) Key outcomes or other accomplishments realized. Nothing to report For Objectives 2 and 3, there is nothing to report at the moment, since no economic analyses or extension program have initiated.

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