Invertebrate Organisms Associated with Alfalfa Seedling Loss in Complete-Tillage and No-Tillage Plantings1

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Abstract
Several reports have indicated that poor stands often result when alfalfa is planted in grass sod by methods which utilize little or no tillage. The possible relationship of insects and other invertebrate animals to this phenomenon was investigated in late-summer and spring plantings in bluegrass sod. Seedling growth was significantly reduced and seedling density loss was significantly greater in no-tillage plots as compared with complete-tillage plots. Data obtained by trapping and visual observations indicated that slugs, primarily Agriolimax reticulatus (Mull.), and Nemobius spp. crickets were the major defoliators of alfalfa seedlings in no-tillage plots. Application of carbofuran or methiocarb at planting did not significantly affect the rate of seedling loss, but initial seedling densities were greater in carbofuran-treated plots than in untreated plots. Carbofuran significantly reduced Nemobius spp. densities for only 2 to 3 weeks, and methiocarb failed to reduce slug activity. Slug densities in the late-summer planting were more than five times greater in carbofuran-treated plots than in untreated plots.

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