Alternative to alfalfa in grazing dairy farms. 2- Root productivity and soil physical indicators

BERHONGARAY, GONZALO; MASOLA, MARÍA JOSEFINA; MUGNA, E; JAUREGUI, JOSÉ MARTÍN

Congreso; 43º Congreso Argentino de Producción Animal; 2020

Alfalfa is the most important feed source of dairy farms in Argentina, which is not tolerant to waterlogging, poorly drained soils and/or high water tables (Berhongaray et al., 2019). Moreover, the root system of alfalfa generates excessive compaction of the soil under high stocking rates, thus reducing soil capacity to infiltrate rainwater. Therefore, it is essential to explore the productivity of alternative forage species with greater root development and more tolerance to water excess. The objective of this research was to evaluate the root production of different forage species and their impacts on the soil physical quality.