On the Coastal Plain of the southern U.S., sustainable production of alfalfa has been restricted by lack of attention to subsoil acidity and by a humid environment that delays alfalfa drying for hay. Development of grazing tolerant alfalfa varieties has placed renewed emphasis on alfalfa production under these conditions. Guidelines for alfalfa production on Coastal Plain soils were developed through research by Texas Agricultural Experiment Station scientists to identify and overcome factors that inhibit alfalfa growth on Coastal Plain soils. This work was based on a dual cropping system of alfalfa interseeded into Coastal bermudagrass meadows, but these guidelines also apply to monoculture alfalfa.
Site selection is critical for successful establishment and production of alfalfa.
Good soil drainage and low soil acidity are essential. A pH of 6.8 to 7.0 in the surface 6-in. depth is preferred. Samples collected by 1-ft. The Coastal Plain of the southern and southeastern U.S. is dominated by highly leached, acid soils. Hybrid bermudagrasses developed on acid soils produce excellent forage yields in response to high rates of N. Alfalfa has not been a common forage in the Coastal Plain due to its intolerance to soil acidity and poor hay drying conditions caused by high humidity and frequent spring precipitation.