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SeLection of an Alfalfa Plant Part for Phosphorus Analysis¹

The objective of this study was to find an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plant part that (1) has low varialfility in phosphorus concentration, at a given level of available phosphorus, from one sampling to the next throughout the growing season, and (2) also adequately reflects differences between phosphorus treatments. Alfalfa plant samples were collected from field plots which had been topdressed with different levels of phosphorus. The samples were collected on nine different dates at various stages of maturity in 1966 and 1967. After collection the samples were separated into five plant parts consisting of top leaves, mid-leaves, top stems, mid-stems, and bottom stems. The mid stems consistently showed greater sensitivity to phosphorus treatments and had less variation across sampling dates than the other plant parts. Therefore the mid-stem was considered to be the most suitable plant part to use in determining the phosphorus status of alfalfa.

Key Words: Medicago sativa L. • Liquid fire test • F ratios • Early bloom stage

² Research Assistant, Assoc. Prof. of Plant Breeding, and Professor of Crop Production, respectively.

Received for publication October 10, 1969.