Effect of water spraying on alfalfa hay before baling on the quantitative and qualitative losses of baled hay (case study in Fars province)

In this research, effects of water sprayed over the upper layer of the mowed and rowed alfalfa (before baling) on quantitative and qualitative losses of alfalfa during baling process were evaluated. The study was conducted in the form of split plot experiment with 12 treatments and three replications from 2020 to 2022. Main plots were the amount of water sprayed on the alfalfa with four levels of water (0, 250, 350, and 450 liters per hectare). Subplots were the time interval between spraying water on alfalfa and baling operation (0, 30, and 60 minutes after spraying water). Alfalfa losses at the baler pickup and compression chamber, during transportation, and total losses were measured. Alfalfa dry matter, crude protein, fat, organic matter, ash, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber was measured, and amount of aflatoxin were also detected after six months of storage. Results showed that spraying 450 L water per hectare decreased alfalfa losses at baler pickup and compression chamber, transportation, and total losses by 20.4, 34.3, 4.7, and 21.1% respectively, compared to the control treatment. Time interval between spraying water on alfalfa and baling time had no significant effect on alfalfa losses during baling operation and transportation. Results also indicated that spraying water on alfalfa before baling operation had no significant negative effects on alfalfa quality after six months storing and did not reduce alfalfa quality during storing time.