Alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa (L.)

Authors: Bauchan, Gary

Submitted to: Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2009
Publication Date: 8/15/2009
Citation: Bauchan, G.R. 2009. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa ssp. sativa (L.). Genetic Resources, Chromosome Engineering, and Crop Improvement. 5(2):11-39.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Alfalfa is known as the “Queen of the Forages” as it is primarily used as animal feed for dairy cows, beef cattle, horses, sheep, chickens and other domesticated animals. Alfalfa is the forage of choice due to its high feed value and high biomass production along with its ease of establishment; resistance to major diseases, insects, and nematodes; and tolerance to a wide range of environments. The botany, taxonomy, germplasm resources, gene pools, cytogenetics, genetic mapping, tissue culture and genetic engineering of alfalfa are all described in this chapter.