Source: CORNELL UNIVERSITY submitted to
BREEDING ALFALFA FOR INTERCROPPING WITH INTERMEDIATE WHEATGRASS: TOWARDS PERENNIAL GRAIN-FORAGE SYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1027235
Grant No.
2021-70005-35692
Cumulative Award Amt.
$772,194.00
Proposal No.
2021-06147
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2021
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2025
Grant Year
2021
Program Code
[AFRP]- Alfalfa and Forage Program
Project Director
Moore, V.
Recipient Organization
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
(N/A)
ITHACA,NY 14853
Performing Department
Plant Breeding & Genetics
Non Technical Summary
Alfalfa is the fourth most widely planted crop and the most widely grown forage crop in the US, and it provides important economic, agronomic, and environmental benefits to cropping systems. However,the acreage planted to alfalfa, alfalfa-grass mixtures, and other perennial hay crops have continually declined in past decades. New market opportunities are emerging that have potential to improve alfalfa and forage profitability and the resilience of US agriculture. Intercropping alfalfa between rows of annual and perennial grain crops is a novel use for alfalfa that represents untapped potential to increase alfalfa's presence and importance in US agricultural landscapes. These alfalfa-grain intercropping systems might someday allow farmers to achieve the environmental benefits associated with growing alfalfa (e.g. reduced fertilizer and pest control inputs, improved soil health, reductions in cropland vulnerability to nitrate leaching, erosion, or runoff) with the additional economic benefits of producing a grain cash crop and a saleable forage crop in the same field.Perennial grain crops are being developed for low-input, sustainable cropping systems, in recognition of the ecosystem benefits provided by perenniality. Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) is a perennial cool-season forage grass that is being domesticated for use as the nation's first commercially available perennial grain crop. Market demand for environmentally sustainable foods is rapidly growing and IWG has been identified as a potential ingredient by food companiesin their effort to reduce their environmental impact.Intercropping IWG with alfalfa has the potential to provide nitrogen to the IWG grain crop, enhance the seasonal distribution and forage value of IWG under dual-use management, and increase overall sustainability and profitability of the system. The proposed agronomic research will determine optimal nutrient management practices and evaluate the potential of alfalfa-IWG intercropping systems across multiple cropping regions. The proposed selection studies, using IWG as a model for other intercropping systems, will calibrate expectations within the alfalfa industry about whether performance in intercropping systems is a valuable and heritable trait. This project is among the first to test and select for alfalfa performance within row-crop production systems, and will help alfalfa growers determine whether this alfalfa-IWG intercropping, or similar intercropping systems, have a place on their farms.The primary research goal of this project is perennial grain-forage system optimization by improving alfalfa genetics and fertility management in an alfalfa-IWG system. This goal will be achieved by testing and selecting alfalfa populations for performance in alfalfa-IWG systems in multiple locations in the Midwest and Northeast US, and by evaluating a range of fertility treatments to determine optimal management in these systems. Knowledge generated in this project will be shared with farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders through in-person field days and presentations, and in several virtual formats including fact sheets, videos, and webinars.We anticipate alfalfa producers will benefit from the addition of a high-value perennial grain crop in their forage rotation. For growers already producing IWG, adding alfalfa to their production system has the potential to improve sustainability, productivity, and profitability. Finally, by developing alfalfa as a nitrogen source in IWG systems, this project has potential benefits for the alfalfa seed industry, since it could increase seed sales by adding alfalfa acreage where previously IWG had been planted without a companion crop. The project will also inform future alfalfa research and breeding efforts for a broad range of alfalfa intercropping systems, including alfalfa-grain and alfalfa-grass mixtures.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
100%
Developmental
0%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
2011640108150%
2051640101025%
2051621101025%
Knowledge Area
205 - Plant Management Systems; 201 - Plant Genome, Genetics, and Genetic Mechanisms;

Subject Of Investigation
1640 - Alfalfa; 1621 - Cool season perennial grasses;

Field Of Science
1081 - Breeding; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
Alfalfa-IWG intercropping has the potential to enhance sustainability and profitability compared to each crop grown separately. This project focuses on major agronomic and breeding questions that must be addressed prior to widespread adoption of the system. Our research and extension efforts will help alfalfa growers and the alfalfa industry determine the potential of alfalfa-IWG intercropping and improve management and germplasm to enhance system productivity. The primarygoal of this project is perennial grain-forage system optimization by improving alfalfa genetics and fertility management in an alfalfa-IWG system.The primary project objectives are to:Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems.Identify the optimal nitrogen application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems.Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
Project Methods
Objective 1. Alfalfa evaluation and selection.A previous alfalfa-IWG study was conducted by Schlautman, Picasso, and Jungers. In 2017, approximately 25 alfalfa varieties were intercropped with alfalfa in a trial at locations in Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. In addition, Riday selected several alfalfa populations for performance in an alfalfa-corn intercropping system. A trial will be established to evaluate diverse alfalfa germplasm, including material selected from these two previous intercropping studies, with the goal of identifying appropriate varieties for intercropping and further improving material for performance in alfalfa-IWG systems.In the fall of 2021, co-PIs Schlautman, Jungers, and Riday will select and dig vigorous surviving plants from the 2017 experiment in Kansas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Two populations will be generated from each site, with one derived from elite parent material and the other from historical populations. Co-PIs Schlautman and Riday will conduct seed increases of the resulting populations in greenhouses in Kansas and Wisconsin. To produce sufficient seed to conduct the trial, a second round of seed increase will be conducted in 2022.In Fall 2023, a trial will be planted in three locations: Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin. The trial will be planted as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six replications at each location. Each plot will consist of alternating rows of alfalfa and IWG spaced 30 inches apart and the number of rows depending on the field equipment and space constraints at each site. A single IWG population will be planted with alfalfa population as the treatment. The trial entries will include 20-25 alfalfa populations, including six base populations from the 2017 experiment (two each from KS, MN, and WI), six selections from the 2017 experiment (two each from KS, MN, and WI), and two base populations and two selected populations selected from the alfalfa-corn interseeding selection program. Remaining entries will include varieties and breeding material with a range of fall dormancy ratings to determine whether relative dormancy is an important driver of alfalfa competition and impacts on IWG grain production.Following planting in the fall of 2023, emergence and vigor data will be collected for both species using a visual rating scale. Winter survival and vigor data will be collected in the spring following green-up. In the summer of 2024, grain yield of IWG will be harvested and weighed. Following grain harvest, the alfalfa-IWG biomass will be harvested, weighed, subsampled and dried. A second forage sampling event will take place in the fall. Data will be analyzed in R using linear mixed effects models to compare relative performance of alfalfa populations in intercropping systems.An additional year of forage sampling will be conducted after the conclusion of the grant funding period. Following a second year of data collection, we will make selections at each site, including the most vigorous surviving plants within the most productive families. Seed increase and selection will continue for these populations, with the eventual goal of releasing finished varieties and/or germplasm for use by other plant breeders.Objective 2. N-rate study.In Fall 2021, a trial will be planted in four locations: Kansas, New York, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The trial will be planted as an RCBD with a split-plot arrangement and six replications at each location. Each plot will consist of alternating rows of alfalfa and IWG spaced 30 inches apart and the number of rows depending on the field equipment and space constraints at each site. Additional IWG and alfalfa monoculture treatments will be included for the purpose of estimating land equivalent ratios (LER). An advanced IWG population from the University of Minnesota will be planted with three alfalfa varieties as the main plot treatment. Alfalfa varieties will include commercially available varieties with a range of dormancy ratings appropriate to the study regions. Five N fertilization rates will be assigned to each subplot at rates of 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160 kg N per ha. Fertilizer will be applied as urea in spring at greenup. P and K will be applied to the plots based on soil sampling results to maintain appropriate P and K fertility over the study period.In the 2022, 2023, and 2024 growing seasons, grain yield of IWG will be harvested and weighed. Following grain harvest, the alfalfa-IWG biomass will be harvested, weighed, and subsampled for drying and forage quality analysis. A second forage sampling event will take place in the fall (late September or early October). Each site will grind samples to 1mm and ship samples to Picasso for forage quality analysis. Picasso will conduct forage quality analysis using wet chemistry methods on a calibration set of approximately 100 samples and use near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) on the remaining samples. Traits measured will include CP, ADF, NDF, ADL, NDFD, IVDMD. Crude Protein, Acid Detergent Fiber, Neutral Detergent fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, Neutral Detergent Fiber Digestibility, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility. Agronomic and economic optimum nitrogen fertilizer rates will be determined using linear and non-linear regression to predict IWG grain, IWG forage, alfalfa forage, and total forage yield and quality in response to N fertilizer rates. Model selection and statistical analyses will be based on methods described in Jungers et al. (2015).Objective 3. Best practices & peer-to-peer learning.A comprehensive extension and education program will be coordinated by PD Moore and implemented by personnel at each collaborating site. Each year of the project, collaborators will present results and ongoing activities at regional field days in Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin. Where possible, field days will include a facilitated discussion component. This will provide an opportunity for farmers, industry, and extension personnel to provide feedback on the research and extension programming needed to facilitate adoption of alfalfa-IWG and other forage-grain intercropping systems. We will distribute a brief post-event survey to field day attendees to assess changes in knowledge and behavior.The extension sub-team will also develop web-based materials to reach producers unable to attend in-person field days. These materials will include printed and online fact sheets focused on best practices in alfalfa-IWG intercropping systems, including information regarding nitrogen rate, variety selection, and agronomic recommendations. The Cornell-based extension associate will also produce an informational video showcasing the project activities and research results. These materials will be distributed widely across collaborating sites via institutional websites, blogs, and social media.The Cornell-based extension associate will lead a needs assessment and develop training materials for alfalfa-IWG intercropping systems. In Year 1, the extension associate will conduct a stakeholder needs assessment to determine the gaps in knowledge and training among stakeholders interested in implementing alfalfa-IWG intercropping systems. The needs assessment will include the facilitated discussions at field days as described above, as well as individual interviews with farmers, industry personnel, and other relevant stakeholders. In Year 2, in response to the need assessment the extension associate will pilot extension materials such as a webinar hosted on eXtension. Finally, using feedback from webinar participants, in Year 3 they will develop additional content, as a webinar, webinar series, or online coursework depending on stakeholder needs.Results of the needs assessment and outcomes from extension programming will be published in an extension journal, such as Journal of Extension or the Journal of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA).

Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include: • Farmers in Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin, • Seed company representatives, • Extension, NRCS, and other service providers, • Undergraduate and graduate students studying plant science and related topics, and • Forage and perennial grain researchers. Changes/Problems:Two sites (New York and Kansas) had poor establishment of intermediate wheatgrass in the Objective 1 experiment due to poor seed quality. This required replanting of the experiment and a delay of 1 year in activities/results associated with the experiment. PD Moore was out of work on an unexpected medical leave for much of the reporting period (October 2023 - April 2024). This, along with difficulties in identifying an appropriate videographer, contributed to delays and difficulties in accomplishing the planned extension activities. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One MS student (Megan Williams) successfully defended her thesis in Soil & Crop Science (Cornell University), with her thesis focused on Objective 2 of this project. Williams is now employed by Virginia Cooperative Extension as an Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent for Caroline and King George Counties. One PhD student (Leah Treffer) started in the Plant Breeding & Genetics program at Cornell University in Summer 2023, with her dissertation focused in part on Objective 1 of this project. During this reporting period, the student has been taking coursework relevant to plant breeding, data analysis, and agroecology, and through this project has gained experience in fieldwork, data analysis, project management, undergraduate mentoring, and public-facing science communication. One communications assistant (Emily Fratz), who had been assisting with extension activities for this project, transitioned to a new role as a PhD student in Plant Breeding & Genetics at Cornell University in Summer 2024. Although Fratz will be working on a different project for their PhD, they gained relevant experience in extension and social science research methods through their work on this project. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Project collaborators presented results and ongoing research efforts at several events during the reporting period. MS graduate Williams presented project results in her Exit Seminar (May 2024) and at the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (June 2024). PhD student Treffer and PD Moore presented results and ongoing activities at the Cornell Seed Growers Field Day (July 2024). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cropping systems. In the next reporting period, data will be collected in Kansas (2 locations), New York (2 locations), and Wisconsin. Assuming establishment is successful in the second plantings in Kansas and New York, data collection in the first plantings will cease in Spring 2025. Data collection will include traits relevant to intercropping, including establishment, plant height, vigor and competitiveness, and flowering time. Tissue sampling will also be conducted annually for bulk population sequencing to explore the genetic effects of selection in intercropping systems across multiple populations. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen (N) application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-IWG cropping systems. Fall biomass sampling took place in all four locations (Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin) in Fall 2024. For Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin this is the final sampling event of the experiment. Minnesota is a year behind due to the need to replant the experiment, and will continue harvesting forage and grain in the 2025 growing season. Forage samples harvested in Minnesota in 2024 will undergo grinding and forage quality testing. Data from Year 3 of the project will be integrated into the analysis of Year 1 and 2 data conducted by MS graduate Williams. The analysis will be published as two or more peer-reviewed publications with a target submission in 2025. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Soil samples were taken from a subset of plots after termination of the Objective 2 experiment. The goal is to produce extension materials regarding the effect of the intercropping system on soil N and soil health. Project collaborators also plan to conduct a webinar and produce other print and online extension materials sharing results of the project. Additional presentations and farmer engagement at field days will also occur at collaborating sites.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems. Data collection was conducted in trial sites established in August 2023 (Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin). Fall 2023 data collection included stand count, plant height, vigor, and tissue sampling for DNA sequencing. Spring 2024 data collection included winter injury, stand count, vigor, and maturity. In Summer 2024, additional data were collected immediately prior to intermediate wheatgrass grain harvest, including maturity, plant height, lodging, and disease incidence/severity if present. There was poor intermediate wheatgrass establishment in the Kansas and New York locations, and an additional site was planted in both locations in August 2024. These additional sites were planted with the same experimental entries, and New York also planted several additional alfalfa breeding populations with unique root characteristics with potential value for intercropping systems. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems. During the reporting period, the following field activities took place at five locations (Kansas, 2 Minnesota locations, New York, Wisconsin): Fall forage harvest Spring forage harvest (pre-elongation of intermediate wheatgrass) Spring fertilization Summer forage and grain harvest Other observations including stand count, lodging, and weed biomass Sample processing took place over the winter and included biomass sample drying, grinding, and forage quality analysis; and grain drying, threshing, imaging, and weighing. Year 1 and 2 data were analyzed and written up as part of Megan Williams' MS thesis in Soil & Crop Science (Cornell University). Williams successfully defended her thesis in May 2024 and also presented results at the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (NAAIC) in Pasco, Washington in June 2024. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Project results and ongoing work were presented by PhD student Leah Treffer and PD Virginiat Moore at the Cornell Seed Growers' Field Day in Ithaca, NY in July 2024.

Publications

  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Williams, Megan. 2024. Nitrogen Management and Alfalfa Variety Effects on Yields in a Dual-Purpose Intercropped Intermediate Wheatgrass and Alfalfa System. Master's thesis. Cornell University.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Williams, M., V. Moore, J. Hansen, J. Jungers, V. Picasso, H. Riday, and B. Schlautman. 2024. Managing alfalfa intercropping with intermediate wheatgrass: towards perennial grain-forage systems. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (Pasco, WA).


Progress 09/01/22 to 08/31/23

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include: Farmers in Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin, Seed company representatives, Extension, NRCS, and other service providers, Undergraduate and graduate students studying plant science and related topics, and Forage and perennial grain researchers. Changes/Problems:The first location planted in Minnesota (planted in Fall 2021) had another year of poor grain production, so we decided that this location will be abandoned in 2024, and will only include The second Minnesota location (planted in Fall 2022) in future data collection and analysis. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Across multiple locations, undergraduate field assistants helped with data collection during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons. One undergraduate student at Cornell conducted a summer research project collecting root samples in a subset to plots from Objective 2 of this project. He got experience with scientific data collection, analysis, and presentation, and a graduate student got experience in research mentoring. Through Cornell's employee degree program, thecommunications assistant working on the project took a course onAdoption of Innovations, which has deepened her understanding ofsociological frameworks of technology adoption; her experience working on this project has led her to apply to a PhD programin plant breeding with the goal of integrating social science methods to improve adoption of new varieties and sustainable cropping systems. A Master's student at Cornell has continued to work on the project and has developed new skills in data collection, statistical analysis, and presenting to scientific and farmer audiences. Two new graduate students also began working on the project (1 PhD student at Cornell and 1 MS student at University of Wisconsin), and these students will also be developing research skills as their role in the project increases. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?PD Moore presented an overview of the project at several events during the reporting period, including: A seminar at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (St. Louis, MO), The Legume Workshop at thePlant and Animal Genome Conference (San Diego, CA), New York Soil Health Summit (Virtual) Cornell Seed Growers Field Day (Ithaca, NY) Co-PDsSchlautman and Jungers was alsohosted and/or presented at multiple Kernza-related field days and events across Minnesota and Kansas. Graduate students and the communications assistant also presented at multiple conferences and meetings, including the 2022 ASA-CSSA-SSSA meeting (Baltimore, MD), 2023 KernzaCon, and Cornell Seed Growers Field Day. Research results and the stakeholder needs assessment report was also shared with the stakeholder advisory group. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cropping systems. In the next reporting period, data will be collected in Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin on traits relevant to intercropping,including establishment, plant height, vigor andcompetitiveness, and flowering time. Tissue sampling will also be conducted annually starting in Fall 2023 for bulk population sequencing to explore the genetic effects of selection in intercropping systems across multiple populations. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen (N) application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-IWG cropping systems. Forage samples harvestedin 2023will undergo grinding and forage quality testing.Data from Years 1 and 2 of the project will be analyzed and written up for publication byCornell MS student Megan Williams, who aims to graduate in 2024. A thirdyear of harvest, data collection, and analysis will be conducted. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Additionalpresentations and farmer engagement at field days will occur. The major new activities to take place in Year 3 will include development of a webinar, fact sheet, and informational video sharing research results of the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems. Alfalfa seed from base populations and alfalfa populations previously selected in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass intercropping systems was increased. Additional alfalfa breeding populations from Wisconsin and New York breeding programs with characteristics that are potentially beneficial for intercropping systems were identified for inclusion in the experiment. Planting and data collection protocols were developed, and a PhD student was hired at Cornell to lead the experiment. The experiment was planted in August 2023 in Kansas, New York, and Wisconsin. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass cropping systems. After a Year 1 grain production failure at the Minnesotalocation, the experiment was replanted at a second Minnesota location. During the reporting period, the following field activities took place at five locations (Kansas, 2 Minnesota locations, New York, Wisconsin): Fall forage harvest Spring forage harvest (pre-elongation of intermediate wheatgrass) Spring fertilization Summer forage and grain harvest Other observations includingstand count, lodging, and weed biomass Sample processing took place over the winter and includedbiomass sample drying, grinding, and forage quality analysis; and grain drying, threshing, imaging, and weighing. Year 1 data were analyzed and presented at multiple conferences. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. The project's communications assistant developed areport based on the results of Year 1 interviews. The project's stakeholder advisory group was convened in February 2023 to discuss the report and provide recommendations on future research and extension activities related to alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass. The communications assistant also presented project results at KernzaCon, an annual meeting of researchers, farmers, and other industry stakeholders working on intermediate wheatgrass research. Preliminary project results were also presented at field days across all participating project locations.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Moore, V.M., T. Peters, B. Schlautman, and E.C. Brummer. 2023. Towards plant breeding for multicrop systems. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2205792119
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Moore, V.M. 2023. Breeding Legumes for Diverse Cropping Systems. Legume Workshop, Plant and Animal Genome Conference (San Diego, CA).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Williams, M., J. Jungers, V. Picasso, B. Schlautman, and V. Moore. 2023. Nitrogen Management Effects on Intercropped Kernza-Alfalfa Grain and Forage Yields. KernzaCon (St. Paul, MN).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Fratz, E., J. Hansen, J. Jungers, V. Picasso, H. Riday, B. Schlautman, and V. Moore. Stakeholder Needs in Alfalfa-Intermediate Wheatgrass (IWG) Intercropping Systems. KernzaCon (St. Paul, MN).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Williams, M., J. Jungers, V.D. Picasso, B. Schlautman, and V. Moore. 2022. Investigating Optimal Nutrient Management Practices in Alfalfa-Intermediate Wheatgrass Intercropping Systems. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting (Baltimore, MD).


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

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached during this reporting period include: Farmers in Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Wisconsin, Seed company representatives, Extension, NRCS, and other service providers, and Forage and perennial grain researchers. Changes/Problems: A second forage harvest was planned for Fall 2022, but moisture limitations at most locations resulted in limited forage production after grain and first forage harvest. At these locations a second forage harvest was not conducted. Pest pressure at the MN location led to failure of Year 1 grain production, leading to replanting of the experiment at a second MN location. Seed for the KS populations were not successfully produced in the 2022 growing season. We have cages planted for seed production in 2023 and we have cloned the individuals to try to produce extra seed in the greenhouse over the winter. Co-PD Goplens left his position at the University of Minnesota, leading to more limited support for the extension portion of the project. The Cornell communications assistant and other project collaborators have engaged in stakeholder engagement activities while the position is being refilled. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In KS, an intern was trained at the Land Institute for ~2.5 months. He participated in data collection in KS and also visited the NY site to assist during grain harvest. He is actively applying to graduate school programs to study perennial intercropping systems. Two other undergraduate students helped with data collection in the KS plots over the 2022 growing season. In NY, a communications assistant had the opportunity to develop skills in social science research methods, including development and implementation of interview tools. A graduate student was also recruited to work on the project starting in Summer 2022, and has received ongoing training in field research methods and other research and science communication skills. Several undergraduate students also participated in summer field activities and were trained in data collection protocols. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?PD Moore presented an overview of the project at several events during the reporting period, including: Northeast Agribusiness & CCA Conference (Virtual, December 2021) North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference (Lansing, MI, June 2022) Cornell Seed Growers Field Day (Ithaca, NY, June 2022) Co-PD Schlautman hosted a visit with the Kansas Soil Health Alliance, including ~75 farmers. The group visited the Land Institute experimental plots at an August field day and heard an overview of the project. Co-PD Jungers was also involved in hosting/co-hosting multiple Kernza-related events across Minnesota. The communications assistant hired to work on the project attended a MN Kernza field day in July to network with farmers and industry and to recruit interview subjects. In an effort to recruit interview subjects for Objective 3, an overview of the project was also disseminated through forage industry organizations. The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) sent project information to farmers on the organization's board and to affiliate hay associations. In addition, the Kansas Forage & Grassland Council sent project information to 49 farmer-members. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cropping systems. In the next reporting period, alfalfa seed increases will be harvested, threshed, and shipped to participating locations (KS, NY, WI). The selection experiment will be planted in Summer 2023. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen (N) application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-IWG cropping systems. Year 1 yield data were presented at the ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual conference (November 2022). Forage samples harvested in 2022 will undergo grinding and forage quality testing. A second year of harvest, data collection, and analysis will be conducted. In the replanted MN location, the first year of harvest and data collection will also be conducted. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. Results of the stakeholder needs assessment will be summarized in a report and shared with project collaborators and the stakeholder advisory group meeting (Winter 2022) for feedback on the focus of extension activities for the remainder of the project. Planned activities include presentations and farmer engagement at field days as well as development of a webinar, fact sheet, and informational video to be disseminated in Year 3 of the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Objective 1: Evaluate and select alfalfa populations for optimal performance in alfalfa-intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) cropping systems. In Fall 2021, alfalfa plants were selected from a previous alfalfa-IWG intercropping experiment planted in three locations (KS, MN, WI). Selected plants were excavated and intermated in the greenhouse. In addition, base populations were developed by intermating plants from the original varieties from which the selections were derived. Seed from these populations were then sent to Washington State for caged increase. These populations will be included in an intercropping selection experiment to be planted in 2023. Objective 2: Identify the optimal nitrogen (N) application rate for production of grain and forage in alfalfa-IWG cropping systems. In Fall 2021, an alfalfa-IWG intercropping and N fertilization experiment was planted in four locations (KS, MN, NY, WI). The experiment was planted as an incomplete factorial design, with factors including: Alfalfa variety (3 varieties with fall dormancy ratings between 3 and 5) N fertilization rate (5 rates between 0 and 160 kg N per ha) Cropping system (3 systems: IWG monoculture, alfalfa monoculture, or intercropped) N application took place in Spring 2022. Data collection during the reporting period included stand count, lodging, weed biomass, IWG grain yield, IWG forage yield, and alfalfa forage yield at each location. Plots were harvested for both grain and forage in Summer 2022. Grain threshing took place in Summer 2022, and biomass sample grinding for forage quality analysis is ongoing. Pest pressure at the MN location led to failure of Year 1 grain production, and the experiment was replanted at a second MN location in Fall 2022. Objective 3: Support producers to incorporate perennial grain-forage intercropping on their farms by sharing research results and best practices, and creating opportunities for peer-to-peer learning. A communications assistant was hired in January 2022 to assist with a stakeholder needs assessment. In order to conduct stakeholder interviews, an IRB protocol was submitted in February 2022 and received an exemption in March 2022. Interviews were conducted with 12 farmers and 8 industry stakeholders with interest in alfalfa-IWG intercropping systems in Spring-Summer 2022. A report with interview results is in development and will be used to guide outreach activities for the remainder of the project.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Moore, V., J. Hansen, J. Jungers, J. Goplen, V. Picasso, H. Riday, and B. Schlautman. 2022. Breeding Alfalfa for Intercropping With Intermediate Wheatgrass: Towards Perennial Grain-Forage Systems. North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. Lansing, MI.