Hail Injury in Alfalfa
Hail injury in alfalfa is caused when hailstones damage plant tissue during a storm, and includes broken stems and branches, lodging, and defoliation. Young seedlings can be completely killed. Hail can reduce the quantity of yield through destruction of foliar tissue, especially when it occurs earlier in the season. Quality of forage can also be reduced. Fields can appear to be badly damaged, but after a period of time, the alfalfa should outgrow and recover from the hail injury. Sub-optimal axillary bud regrowth occurs when foliage and branches are present on lower stems after hail; higher yielding crown regrowth occurs when the majority of above ground plant tissue is destroyed.
Management of hail injury can involve modifying harvest scheduling or destruction of above ground plant tissue, depending on severity of injury and plant development. Increase yield amount from lodged plants using a disc mower and cutting in the opposite direction of broken stems. Check with state extension agents or extension resources to determine proper harvest scheduling or other recommendations for management of hail-injured alfalfa.
Prepared by the Alfalfa Pest Management Working Group.
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