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Abstract
Inclusion of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) pastures improves nutritive value, increases grazing days, and reduces need for synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) is a common weed, requiring pre-emergent herbicide application to control. However, in a grazing system, crabgrass could be a valuable forage, being a palatable warm-season annual grass with high nutritive value and prolific reseeding ability. The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of alfalfa establishment timing and crabgrass inclusion in alfalfa bermudagrass pastures on nutritive value, botanical composition, and forage mass. This two-year study conducted in Tifton, GA utilized 4 replications of 6 treatments: bermudagrass + fall alfalfa + crabgrass, bermudagrass + fall alfalfa, bermudagrass + spring alfalfa + crabgrass, bermudagrass + spring alfalfa, bermudagrass + synthetic N, and untreated bermudagrass control. Data was collected on a 28 to 35-day interval to determine botanical composition, forage mass, and nutritive value.