UNH LIBRARY 



3 MLDD DDblfi MfiBT 



ABSTRACT 



The potential of seeding directly into sod as an alternative to the 

 conventional preparation of a fine seedbed was investigated. Several 

 seedings involving alfalfa, red clover, birdsfoot trefoil, timothy, and 

 orchardgrass were made in 1976-77 on. three different soils. Both con- 

 ventional and sod seedings generally increased legume, forage and protein 

 yields. Seedling growth and development were slower following sod seeding 

 and yields were lower than those from conventional seeding the year of 

 establishment. In the year following seeding, however, yields from sod 

 and conventional seedings were similar, considering the highest yielding 

 treatments of each. With August seeding on a seasonally 'wet soil, red 

 clover seeded into sod overwintered successfully, while red clover seeded 

 conventionally failed due to severe heaving. Herbicides were more 

 essential for sod seeding than for conventional seeding, especially with 

 perennial grasses such as quackgrass. Annual weeds were more common with 

 conventional seedings than with sod seedings. Early May seedings of 

 alfalfa were superior to later seedings with both methods of establishment. 



KEY WORDS: No Till Seeding, Reduced Tillage, Forage Legume Establishment, 

 Forage Renovation, Forage Grass Establishment. 



