Because it is inside a cluster of leaves, the growing point is somewhat protected from cold injury. Exposed leaves and stems around it can be frozen, wilted, and dying while the growing point cluster survives, waiting for warm weather before continuing to grow. If the growing point in your alfalfa survived the freeze, just wait for growth to begin again.
If the growing point was killed, however, growth ceases on that stem. Any new growth must come from new shoots at the crown or from lower branches. While the existing plant remains intact, regrowth often is delayed, so cutting off damaged plants will hasten recovery. As some of you learned after last year's freeze, good and healthy fields will regrow quickly even following an early harvest. While you can harvest early, you don’t have to. Plants will begin to grow again on their own although it might take a little longer.
About 7 to 10 days after a freeze, check your alfalfa plants to truly see if the tops and growing point are dead or if recovery has begun. Then decide whether to harvest or just wait for growth to renew naturally.
Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist
|
 | ||
| Published by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperating with the counties and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. | ||
| The University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, color, religion, marital status, veteran's status, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation. | ||