Yuma County Office
2200 W. 28^th Street, Ste. 102
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 726-3904
(928) 726-8472 FAX

Production Update:
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Inoculation: Alfalfa seed normally does not need to be inoculated with Rhizobium bacteria unless planted on ground newly broken out of desert and not farmed before.

Insect Management: Sowbugs feed on alfalfa seedlings in new stands and reseeded fields. Sowbugs are crustaceans not insects. Alfalfa seed fields that have been dry for 6 to 8 weeks usually have more of a problem, especially if the field has received 1 or more inches of rain prior to renovation. Sowbugs will eat seedling alfalfa to the ground line. Feeding on leaves of older plants rarely cause economic damage. Monitor sowbug activity in alfalfa fields at night, after 9 p.m. Feeding damage commonly spreads out from field borders. Sowbugs may be found along field borders in the daytime hiding under litter. Carbaryl (SevinŽ) 5% bait may be applied broadcast at 30 lb/acre when sowbug densities are high enough to cause sever loss of seedling alfalfa stands.

Weed Control: Balan can be an effective preplant incorporated herbicide in alfalfa. Injury is not uncommon, however, and weed control can be poor where soils crack and weeds emerge from the cracks.

10 Year Summary (October 9, to October 21, 1992-2001):

Full Disclaimers

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.

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