Reseeding alfalfa following alfalfa is not a recommended crop rotation practice because of autotoxicity, seedling diseases and insect pests that can build up in the old stand.
Alfalfa autotoxicity occurs when established alfalfa plants produce toxins that reduce establishment and growth of new alfalfa plants. Autotoxicity can occur when alfalfa is reseeded into an old alfalfa field rather than being rotated, or when alfalfa is seeded into an existing alfalfa stand in an attempt to thicken it.
While seed germination and plant density are reduced by alfalfa autotoxicity, effects on root growth are even more severe. Roots are swollen, curled, discoloured, and lack root hairs. Mature plants appear to be more “branch-rooted,” rather than “tap-rooted.” The effects on root growth can significantly impact yields.
Responses to alfalfa autotoxicity are variable, depending on many factors. Water-soluble autotoxicity chemicals are more concentrated in leaves and stems than in the roots. Removing top growth before plowing, and tillage can help reduce the autotoxicity effect. Higher temperatures break down the toxic compound more rapidly, while rains can move them from the root zone. Autotoxicity may initially be more severe on light soils but lasts longer on heavier soils.
The concept of alfalfa autotoxicity is generally accepted. However, there is some disagreement on the minimum time required between killing the old stand (either by plowing or glyphosate application) and reseeding. Time is required for the toxins to degrade or move out of the root zone. Research has shown that while an interval of only 2 or 3 weeks is required to eliminate the adverse effects on germination and plants per area, the potential effects on root development and forage yields can persist much longer.
Impacts on root growth have significant effects on yield. Studies have shown that yields are reduced when alfalfa is seeded after alfalfa, regardless of the waiting period. This yield reduction appears to persist every year for the life of the stand. Stands affected by autotoxicity appear to regrow more slowly after each cutting. Even when alfalfa was killed in the fall and reseeded in the spring, yields were reduced when compared to alfalfa following corn. At the farm level, yield reductions from autotoxicity can be more difficult to recognize than from lower plant density and are often attributed to other causes. For maximum yield, if the alfalfa is 2 or more years old, an intervening year of an alternate crop is required before reseeding to alfalfa.
The toxins are not present the first year in new seedings, so seeding failures or new seeds that were winterkilled can be reseeded without an autotoxicity effect. This would include a summer seeding after an unsuccessful spring seeding, or a spring seeding after an unsuccessful summer seeding.
It is not recommended that inter-seeding be done to thicken an established alfalfa stand as this is rarely successful. New seedlings often germinate, look acceptable initially, then die out over the summer. Research shows the area of autotoxicity influence is a 40-cm (16-in.) radius from established plants. This means that a field with plant density of less than 2 plants/m2 (0.2 plants/ft2 ) — almost nonexistent — would be required before interseeding could avoid autotoxicity. A stand with greater than 14 plants/m2 (1.3 plants/ft2 ) will have excessive zone overlapping and a high risk of failure. In an emergency, thin spots can be inter-seeded with red clover instead. Of course, inter-seeding a stand that is less than 1 year old is acceptable, because there is no alfalfa autotoxicity effect.