WSP12292

• File Number: 8543.200
• Description: Projects in the Closed Basin
• State: CO
• Basin: Rio Grande
• Water Division: 3
• Date: 7/1/1956
• Title: Reclamation of Saline---Alkali Landsin the Mosca-Hooper Area/ San Luis Valley
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

Alfalfa Strip Tests

The 1954, 1955. and the 1956 first cutting yields of alfalfa from
the alfal.1'a strip tests are shown in Table III.

TABlE III

ALFALFA YIELDS - T./A. (Air-Dry Weight)

Treatment 1954 C3 cuttings) 1955 (2 Cuttings) 1956 (1 Outting}

S-l None 0.8 0.6 0.6
S-2 Leached 4.2 1.0 . 1.2
3-3 2 T. Gypsum & Leached 4.9 l.O l.l
S-4 2 T. Gypsum & Leached 5.6 l.8 l.4
8-5 Leached 4.9 l.2 l.l
S-6 None 0 0 0.2

The alfalfa yields were influenced considerably by heavy winter kill-
ing during 1954-55. No late fall irrigation was applied in 1954 because
of a pUl1lp failure. The value of the late fall irrigation is indicated in
the 1956 first cutting yield results. After the stand has been established
and sub-irrigation is practiced, yield results show that surface irri-
gation is beneficial only in late fall.

Grass Nursery

The 1955 grass nursery yields and stand count of replicated varieties
are shown in Table rJ.

TABLE IV

GRASS NURSERY YIELDS - 191)1)

Grass Weight - lbs./acre. and Estimated Stand - %

Average Estimat.ed
Percent Stand

Average Yield y

Variety

Tall Wheatgrass
Intermediate Wheatgrass
Orchard Grass
Al ta Fescue Grass
Lyon Brome Grass
Lincoln Brome Grass
Stiffhair Wheatgrass
Amur Wheatgrass
Slender Wheatgrass
Western Wheatgrass

24
l79
o
I)
247
222
13l
174
228
I)l3

9
1)2
o
o
;0
bJ.
39
68
;8
73

t. - ..... r~ ., 'J
v:", l-.... ""... V

y

The average yield and average estimated percent. stand was calculated
from yields and estimated percent staIXI of 3 replicate plots.

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