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Speeding the Drying of Alfalfa Hay with Fusicoccin¹

Fusicoccin, a wilt toxin produced by the fungus Fusicoccum amygdali Del., was sprayed onto alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) 3 hours before cutting. Under constant environmental condition in the laboratory, the shoots treated with 10^-5 M fusicoccin solution dried to a moisture content of 40% (dry weight basis) in half the time of the controls. In the field the drying time to a moisture content of 22% (dry weight basis) was reduced from 54 to 46 hours; thus the hay could be safely stored after 3 days instead of 4 days. The fusicoccin also reduced losses by respiration. Rainfall probabilities for Connecticut suggest that use of fusicoccin would prevent damage by rain on 15% of the days suitable for haymaking. The results also suggest that fusicoccin will be more beneficial when drying conditions are poor.

Key Words: Fungal toxin • Rainfall probabilities

² Assistant Crop Physiologist

Received for publication December 24, 1969.