Search

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hosts several species of aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), Aphis craccivora Koch and Therioaphis trifolii (Monell). The preference of the aphids of alfalfa plants for dense assemblies or individual plants, as well as for healthy or infested plants, was investigated in the field as in the laboratory. Years of field research have revealed the specific preferences of all three species of aphid. A. pisum and T. trifolii are most commonly found in alfalfa crops, while A. craccivora is mostly found on alfalfa weeds. Also, a single species of aphid alone is usually present on a plant. In order to determine the reason for this clear preference and to establish whether at the very beginning, i.e. at the stage of choosing a host, aphid species distance themselves from each other, we tested the effect of the volatiles of healthy and infested plants on their attractiveness to aphids. A. craccivora is repelled by the volatiles of dense crops and plants previously infested with one of the other two species. A. pisum and T. trifolii choose a dense assembly of plants, repelled by the volatiles of plants previously infested with A. craccivora. A. pisum displays the weakest competitive traits, and A. craccivora the strongest. This research showed that competition between aphid species does not occur only when they find themselves on the same plant at the same time, fighting for resources, but also in the choice of plant, in order to avoid later competition.

Based on the study of physiological and biochemical changes in Alfalfa plants, here are some key points: 1. The study aimed to investigate the effect of flowering stages on physiological and biochemical properties in four cultivars of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and to determine the optimal time for harvesting. 2. The four cultivars included in the study were Fasta, Hamadani, Meldor, and Sovrana. 3. The study was conducted using a completely randomized design. 4. The results showed that the total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in Hamadani cultivar at middle flowering stages in fourth-year-old plants showed higher TPC and TFC. 5. The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased by progressing the flowering stage and time of harvesting. 6. Proline content increased by advancing the flowering stage, with the highest amount observed at the late flowering stage in Fasta cultivar. 7. Middle flowering stage represented the greater chlorophyll (Chl.) compared with other stages. 8. Relative water content (RWC) decreased by progressing the maturity, with the highest amount observed at the early flowering stage. 9. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and total soluble sugar (TSS) increased by advancing the maturity, with Sovrana at the late flowering stage and fourth year representing the higher MDA and TSS. 10. Heat map analysis showed the significant role of all physiological and biochemical traits except total Chl. for clustering the cultivars. 11. The study suggests that managing the harvesting time based on physio-biochemical changes in plants is a principal practice. 12. The Hamadani cultivar was recommended due to its high phenolic compounds and minimum variation of their biochemical properties in the fourth year. 13. The findings of this study can be useful for the cultivation and harvesting of Alfalfa, which is an important forage crop for livestock and has potential in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldRephraseRephrase current sentence7Log in to edit with Ginger&times

Yonca tohum kalsidi, Bruchophagus roddi Gussakovskiy, 1933 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) önemli bir yonca (Medicago sativa L.) tohumu zararlısıdır. Çalışma, B. roddi’nin Doğu Anadolu Bölgesinde Iğdır, Ağrı, Kars ve Van illerinin yonca tohumu yetiştirilen alanlarında tohumdaki bulaşıklık oranının belirlenmesi amacıyla ele alınmıştır. Tohum örneklemeleri, her iki yılda da Ağustos ve Eylül aylarında 76 yonca tarlasında 2016 ve 2017 yıllarında yapılmıştır. Bu amaçla, her yonca tarlasından 100 tohum salkımı toplanmıştır. Toplanan tohum salkımlarından 20’şer adedinin 5’er tohum kapsülü (toplam 25 tohum kapsülü) dissekte edilerek larva sayımları yapılmıştır. Sonuç olarak, çalışmaların yürütüldüğü tüm lokasyonların tamamında tohumların B. roddi ile bulaşık olduğu belirlenmiştir. Tohumlardaki ortalama bulaşıklık oranları 2016 ve 2017 yıllarında sırasıyla, Iğdır ilinde %34,3 ile %17,2, Ağrı ilinde %25,1 ile %13,6, Kars ilinde %18,4 ile %26,4 ve Van ilinde %21 ile %11,7 oranları arasında tespit edilmiştir. Bu böceğin ülkemizde yonca tohumluk üretim alanlarında dikkat edilmesi gereken bir zararlı olduğu kanısına varılmıştır., The alfalfa seed chalcid, Bruchophagus roddi Gussakovskiy, 1933 (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) is an important pest of alfalfa seeds (Medicago sativa L.). The study was carried out in order to determine the infestation rates of B. roddi on alfalfa seeds in alfalfa seed producing areas of Iğdır, Ağrı, Kars and Van provinces of the Eastern Anatolia Region. Seed sample surveys were performed in 76 alfalfa fields in August and September of 2016 and 2017. For this purpose, 100 seed clusters were collected from each alfalfa field. From the collected seed clusters, 5 seed capsules from each of 20 seed clusters (25 seed capsules in total) were dissected and larval counts were made. As a result, it was determined that the seeds were infested with B. roddi in all locations where the studies were carried out. On average, infestation rates of the seeds in 2016 and 2017 were 34.3% and 17.2% in Iğdır province, 25.1% and 13.6% in Ağrı province, 18.4% and 26.4% in Kars province, and 21% and 11.7% in Van province, respectively. It has been concluded that this insect is an important pest that needs attention in alfalfa seed producing areas in Türkiye.

Alfalfa is critical to global food security, and its data is abundant in the U.S. nationally, but often scarce locally, limiting the potential performance of machine learning (ML) models in predicting alfalfa biomass yields. Training ML models on local-only data results in very low estimation accuracy when the datasets are very small. Therefore, we explore synthesizing non-local data to estimate biomass yields labeled as high, medium, or low. One option to remedy scarce local data is to train models using non-local data; however, this only works about as well as using local data. Therefore, we propose a novel pipeline that trains models using data synthesized from non-local data to estimate local crop yields. Our pipeline, synthesized non-local training (SNLT pronounced like sunlight), achieves a gain of 42.9% accuracy over the best results from regular non-local and local training on our very small target dataset. This pipeline produced the highest accuracy of 85.7% with a decision tree classifier. From these results, we conclude that SNLT can be a useful tool in helping to estimate crop yields with ML. Furthermore, we propose a software application called Predict Your CropS (PYCS pronounced like Pisces) designed to help farmers and researchers estimate and predict crop yields based on pretrained models.

The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of whey powder (WP) supplementation on chemical composition, silage fermentation, in vivo digestibility and net energy lactation (NEL) value of high dry matter (DM) alfalfa silage (Haylage). Alfalfa treated with different doses WP (0, 2, and 4%) were ensiled in plastic cans for 60 days. Nine Kıvırcık rams were used to estimated digestibilities of haylages in 3x3 Latin Square design with fifteen days experimental period. According to the results, the addition of WP significantly increased the DM of alfalfa haylage compared to the control whereas decreased ether extract, crude protein and crude ash. But, cell wall fraction rates of all groups were similar. Relative feed value and physical characteristics other than color improved in WP supplemented groups, and lactic acid rates increased in these groups. In terms of silo acids, the best values were found in the group with 4% WP. On the other hand, the addition of WP increased the organic matter digestibility of haylages, however the effect on other in vivo digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and neutral detergent fiber was insignificant. Moreover, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and NEL values of haylages were found to be improved with the addition of WP. As a result, it was concluded that in order to obtain quality haylage in the ensiling of high DM and long chopped alfalfa, WP generally can be used as an alternative source of carbohydrates and a 4% whey powder dose can be recommended in the production of haylage especially in the sense of improving silage fermentation.

Drought stress can be described as multidimensional stress factors affecting plants’ growth, development, and productivity. In order to reduce the adverse impact of drought stress, a plethora of attempts have been employed. Among those attempts, nano-engineered particles have gained a remarkable attention. Of the relevant particles, calcium oxide (CaO) and graphene oxide (GO) have been well-documented to positively regulate and mediate the plant growth system through shifting physiological biochemical and molecular aspects of the plant. The solo impacts of the nanoparticles are well-known but their interactions were not assayed for Medicago sativa L. cultivars. For that reason, the present study investigates the impact of CaO NPs and GO on the response and regulation of the defensive mechanism in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) callus in drought stress-suffered cultivars. The activation of CaO-GO can be induced with mannitol in the callus of alfalfa cultivars. Dry and fresh weight values were determined in callus samples. There were significant differences between cultivars and concentration. In terms of MDA, H2O2, proline content, it was observed that the Ca2+ NPs application was important, and it showed a strong link with the resistance degree of cultivars. Erzurum cultivar was observed for better proline content with 1.5 ppm GO. MDA activities demonstrated an increasing trend concerning concentrations of mannitol and nanoparticles. The MDA highest activity was observed with 1/2 ppm CaO+0.5/1.5 ppm GO (0.1849 mg/g FW) in the Erzurum. However, the Erzurum cultivar responded with better H2O2 content with 100 mM mannitol +0.5 ppm (0.1017 mg/g FW). This result has presented, under in vitro conditions, that the supplementation of CaO and GO can importantly reduce the negative impacts of drought stress on alfalfa callus; additionally, it has been seen that the dosages of nanoparticle and mannitol are also important.

In developing countries like Jordan, traditional energy resources are not available, so finding other sources to pump the water for irrigation and consumption is necessary. Renewable energy sources, particularly photovoltaic (PV), can play a vital role in providing potable water and irrigating crops in Jordan. Where there is a large amount of groundwater in most areas, while the water wells are deep and far from the national electricity grid. This article compares the Present Value Cost (PVC) for the monetary estimation of energy supply for water pumping systems (WPSs) in remote areas in Ghor Al-Safi/Jordan by two different sun-energy systems, Photovoltaic thermal (PV-T), and PV systems. Several factors are considered, including energy costs and expenses of the investments. The comparison is performed for a variety of variable values, including PV system peak power, and water pumping requirements. A case study is conducted at Ghor Al-Safi/Jordan. Evaluating two energy supply WPSs, which are designed to supply irrigation water for the entire year 2020. The obtained results showed that the average monthly electricity output efficiency for “PV and PV-T” was 12.7% and 10.86%, respectively. However, the total efficiency of the “PV-T” ranged from 41.3% to 55% which is higher than the PV system. The result concluded that the application of PV-T system in Jordan is promising for solving energy demand.

Temperature directly influences the survival, development and reproduction of insects and limits their biological activity. The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal) is a destructive pest of alfalfa crops in Spain and in most of the alfalfa pro- duction countries. The knowledge of how temperature affects the fitness of this pest can be used to predict its activity in current or forecasted environmental conditions and to develop more accurate control strategies. Results: We evaluated the fitness of alfalfa weevil at eight constant temperatures (8–36 °C) at 4 °C intervals by using life tables and models for the description of temperature-dependent development rates. We found that most of the parameters we stud- ied were temperature dependent. Development was observed at all temperatures. However, postembryonic survival was opti- mal at 16 °C but very low at 36 °C. Adults did not reproduce at 8, 32 or 36 °C. The highest fecundity and net reproductive rate were observed at 20 °C, but the highest intrinsic rate of increase occurred at 24 °C. We predicted the phenology of the pest based on the heat needed for development, the cumulative degree days from the beginning of October to the end of May, and the day length in the study region. Conclusion: Our prediction was validated using field data reporting the first occurrence of larval instars and adults, revealing that no more than two generations are possible within an annual cycle. In a hypothetical case where average monthly temper- atures increase by 1–2 °C, the number of generations would not change. We thank Aldahra Europe, Cooperative of Bellvís, Cooperative of Bell-lloc, Granja San José, Osés-Nafosa Group and Josep Piqué for allowing us to use their alfalfa commercial fields for the study. We also thank Marta Franch and Dr. Addy García for technical sup- port. We would like to thank Dr. Richard Twyman for English edit- ing and revision. Special thanks to Prof. Dr. Hsin Chi for helping us using TWOSEX life table software and for his comments to the manuscript. This project was funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish Government (project AGL2017-84127-R). A.L-M. was funded by a Jade Plus Grant from the Universitat de Lleida and R.M. was funded by an FPI Grant from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación of the Spanish Government. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

This study examines the use of leaf area index (LAI) to inform variable-rate irrigation (VRI) for irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa). LAI is useful for predicting zone-specific evapotranspiration (ETc). One approach toward estimating LAI is to utilize the relationship between LAI and visible vegetation indices (VVIs) using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. This research has three objectives: (1) to measure and describe the within-field variation in LAI and canopy height for an irrigated alfalfa field, (2) to evaluate the relationships between the alfalfa LAI and various VVIs with and without field average canopy height, and (3) to use UAV images and field average canopy height to describe the within-field variation in LAI and the potential application to VRI. The study was conducted in 2021–2022 in Rexburg, Idaho. Over the course of the study, the measured LAI varied from 0.23 m2 m−2 to 11.28 m2 m−2 and canopy height varied from 6 cm to 65 cm. There was strong spatial clustering in the measured LAI but the spatial patterns were dynamic between dates. Among eleven VVIs evaluated, the four that combined green and red wavelengths but excluded blue wavelengths showed the most promise. For all VVIs, adding average canopy height to multiple linear regression improved LAI prediction. The regression model using the modified green–red vegetation index (MGRVI) and canopy height (R2 = 0.93) was applied to describe the spatial variation in the LAI among VRI zones. There were significant (p < 0.05) but not practical differences (

This study was organized to determine the nutritional value of different alfalfa varieties and lines selected within the scope of the “Cukurova Region Alfalfa Breeding Project”, conducted at the Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute, by using the in vitro gas production technique. In the project, Nimet was certified as a new variety. The used alfalfa lines were YSH 26-12, YSH 23-9, YSH 21-1, YSH 27-9, YSH 37-12, YSH 35-11, YSH 28-6, YSH 16-11, YSH 14-3, and YSH 11-4. The certified Nimet variety was used as a control. Alfalfas have been harvested in April, at the beginning of blooming. Chemical composition, metabolic energy (ME), net energy lactation (NEL), and organic matter digestibility (OMD) of the certified Nimet variety with 10 different alfalfa lines used in the experiment were determined by Hohenheim in vitro gas production technique. The incubation times in the Hohenheim gas production technique are 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96th hours. Crude protein (CP), crude cellulose (CC), NDF, and ADF contents of the alfalfa varieties and lines ranged between 19.06-22.40%, 24.90-33.30%, 33.16-45.73%, and 30.77-39.75%, respectively. After 96-hour incubation, the highest total gas production (GP) was found at the YSH 11-4 line (45.32 ml) (P < 0.05). While ME, OMD and NEL contents were found to be high at the YSH 11-4 line, ME and OMD values were statistically different from the YSH 28-6, YSH 16-11, YSH 14-3, and YSH 21-1 lines. On the other hand, NEL values were determined different from YSH 23-9, YSH 21-1, YSH 28-6, YSH 16-11, YSH 14-3 lines.

This study was designed to test the two alfalfa advanced populations (L-1737 and L-1738) with four control cultivars (Bilensoy-80, Gözlü, Savaş and Plato) for agromorphological, yield and quality properties under irrigated conditions in two various locations in Ankara, Turkey in the years of 2013, 2014, and 2015. The experiments were arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. Results of the study showed that there were statistically significant differences in plant height and stem diameter as well as stem number among the study materials. Statistically significant differences were observed for green forage yield (P < 0.05), while not in dry matter yield among the study materials. The average green forage and dry matter yields were reported as 67.0 t ha-1 and 13. 0 t ha-1, respectively. Green forage and dry matter yields in the advanced populations of L-1737 and L-1738 were 69.2 and 67.4 t ha-1; 13.7 and 13.6 t ha-1, respectively. Those yield values were 6.5 and 3.7%; 4.3 and 3.4% higher in green forage and dry matter yields of the advanced populations of L-1737 and L-1738 compared to the control cultivar Bilensoy-80, respectively. These increases in green forage and dry matter yields were due to the effect of the mass selection method. Statistically significant differences were observed for acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and relative feeding value among the study materials, except crude protein contents. It was concluded that the two advanced populations had good adaptation ability, high yield and good quality performance under irrigated conditions and could be used as commercial cultivars. RESUMO: Este estudo foi desenhado para testar duas populações avançadas de alfafa (L-1737 e L-1738) com quatro cultivares controle (Bilensoy-80, Gözlü, Savaş e Plato) para propriedades agromorfológicas, produtividade e qualidade sob condições irrigadas em dois locais diferentes em Ancara, Turquia, nos anos de 2013, 2014 e 2015. Os experimentos foram dispostos em delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os resultados do estudo mostraram que houveram diferenças estatisticamente significativas na altura das plantas e diâmetro do colmo, bem como no número de colmos entre os materiais avaliados. Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas para a produtividade de forragem verde (P < 0.05), enquanto não foram observadas diferenças na produção de matéria seca entre os materiais estudados. As produtividades médias de forragem verde e matéria seca foram de 67.0 t ha-1 e 13.0 t ha-1, respectivamente. Os rendimentos de forragem verde e matéria seca nas populações avançadas de L-1737 e L-1738 foram 69.2 e 67.4 t ha-1; 13.7 e 13.6 t ha-1, respectivamente. Esses valores de rendimento foram 6.5 e 3.7%; 4.3 e 3.4% maiores em rendimentos de forragem verde e matéria seca das populações avançadas de L-1737 e L-1738 em relação à cultivar controle Bilensoy-80, respectivamente. Esses aumentos nos rendimentos de forragem verde e matéria seca foram devidos ao efeito do método de seleção massal. Diferenças, estatisticamente significativas, foram observadas para fibra em detergente ácido, fibra em detergente neutro e valor alimentar relativo entre os materiais estudados, exceto nos teores de proteína bruta. Concluiu-se que as duas populações avançadas apresentaram boa capacidade de adaptação, alta produtividade e bom desempenho em condições irrigadas, podendo ser utilizadas como cultivares comerciais.

Irrigation is critical to meeting global food and fiber demands. Optimizing agricultural irrigation may help sustain production levels, while reducing its demand for water. This research evaluated precision sprinklers and drip irrigation for pivots, five pivot track mitigation tools, three scientific irrigation scheduling (SIS) methods, sensors for surface irrigation cutoff, and automating surface systems to implement surge irrigation. With pivots and surface irrigation being the most common methods for irrigation in the West, small improvements from these tools could result in significant water savings. Low energy precision application (LEPA) sprinklers and mobile drip irrigation (MDI) were tested on two pivots. LEPA did not often maintain yield, even with similar application amounts to the mid elevation sprinkler application (MESA) control. MDI reduced yield by 6 – 25% in 2018, while applying half as much water as MESA. In following years, MDI rarely maintained yield, even when applying more than MESA. For LEPA and MDI to maintain yield with less water, the correct situations and proper adaptations must be carefully chosen. With the intent to improve pivot wheel tracks, installing LEPA around the pivot tower was the best of five tested methods, reducing track depths by 47 – 63% in one year. Adapting the correct method to field conditions and position on the pivot can result in shallower wheel tracks without sacrificing yield. The use of soil moisture sensors, a commercial irrigation scheduler, and a free irrigation scheduler to determine irrigation amounts, were compared with the rates chosen by farmers. At some farms, the SIS methods maintained yield with 10-15% less irrigation. These benefits were usually when precipitation was high, which the SIS methods accounted for well. Surface irrigators found that sensors helped reduce irrigation application by correctly timing the cutoff, saving them time, water, and money. Automation to implement surge irrigation increased irrigation use efficiency by 43% the first year, but had less drastic results in the final year, likely due to the severity of an ongoing drought. These collective results demonstrate that simple water optimization techniques could reduce irrigation diversions by 15 and possibly up to 25% or more in some cases.

Spring regrowth is an important trait for perennial plants including alfalfa, the most cultivated forage legume worldwide. However, the genetic and genomic basis of the trait is largely unknown in alfalfa due to its complex genetic background of the tetroploid genome. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with spring regrowth using high-resolution genetic linkage maps we constructed previously. In total, 36 significant additive effect QTLs for the trait were detected. Among them, 10 QTLs individually explained more than 10% of the phenotypic variation (PVE) with four in P1 and six in P2. Six overlapped QTLs intervals were detected with two and four intervals distributed in P1 and P2, respectively. In P1, both overlapped genomic regions were located on homolog 7D. In P2, the four QTLs with PVE>10% were co-localized on homolog 6D. Meanwhile, six pairs of significant epistatic QTLs were identified in P2. Screening of potential candidate genes associated with four overlapped QTLs (qCP2019-8, qLF2019-5, qLF2020-4, and qBLUP-3) narrowed down one candidate annotated as MAIL1. The Arabidopsis homolog gene has been reported to play an important role in plant growth. Therefore, the detected QTLs are valuable resources for genetic improvement of alfalfa spring vigor using marker-assisted selection (MAS), and further identification of the associated genes would provide insights into genetic control of spring regrowth in alfalfa.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of whey powder (WP) on the fermentation quality, nutritive value, and digestibility of ensiled alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Alfalfa treated with different doses of WP (0, 2, and 4% fresh matter silage) was ensiled in plastic drums for 60 days. The results of the study revealed that the physicochemical composition and fermentation quality of the alfalfa silage improved and that mold growth was inhibited in the groups treated with 2 and 4% WP in comparison to that in the control. Production of CO2 (day 7) was much lower in silages treated with 2 and 4% WP (3.77 and 1.85 g/kg dry matter (DM), respectively) than in the control group (21.36 g/kg DM). In addition, in vivo dry matter digestibility (DMD) was much higher in the group treated with 4% WP (76.45%) than in the control one (55.82%). In this treatment group, all apparent digestibility of coefficients in vivo from crude nutrient contents and cell wall fractions significantly increased and hence raised the net lactation energy value from 1.18 to 1.31 Mcal/kg DM. However, although the in vitro DMD was higher in the silages treated with WP than in the control one and the dose was significant, there was no strong correlation between in vivo and in vitro values. According to our results, WP could provide an advantage for the conservation of alfalfa silage. In addition, WP could be evaluated as a sustainable silage additive., TUBITAK 1002 -Short Term R&D Funding Programme [116 O 110]; TUBITAK, This study was supported by TUBITAK 1002 -Short Term R&D Funding Programme (No: 116 O 110) and was included part of Sema OZURETMEN's PhD thesis. Those who participated were as follows: SO: original draft, conceptualization, investigation, data collection, formal analysis, and writing; HO: original draft, conceptualization, project administration, supervision, validation, and editing; HHI: in vitro digestibility and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo parameters and contributed to writing this article. The authors also thank TUBITAK for financial support.

Medicago sativa L. (alfalfa), a leguminous crop, is vital globally for forage, crop rotation, and soil fertility. Though, the microbiome of alfalfa grown in uncultivated land has not been studied yet. Here, we employed the high-throughput 16S rRNA and nifH gene amplicon sequencing to unravel the rhizosphere microbiome and nodules endosymbionts of alfalfa grown in poor lawn and coastal sandy soils. The root nodule of alfalfa of coastal sands and poor lawn soil, Sinorhizobia/Ensifer accounted for 80.599% and 67.727% of the total microbiome, respectively. The class Actinobacteria (except Frankiales) and order Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales, Burkholderiales, Pseudomonas, and Cytophagia were found significantly enriched. Culturable studies displayed the dominance of Bacillus followed by Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, and Streptomyces. Hydroponics studies revealed the efficiency of cultured isolates for nodulation and plant growth attributes. Overall studies decipher the soil indigenous microbiome associated with root nodule and rhizosphere of Alfalfa grown in uncultivated coastal and sandy land.

Fifteen alfalfa varieties cultivated in Turkey were researched to compare the antioxidant potential of their seeds and find differences between the varieties. The total phenolic (TP) content, DPPH•, and ABTS•+ scavenging activities, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of alfalfa seed methanol extracts were determined. TP contents of extracts were found between 37.03 and 54.04 mg GAE/g. ABTS assay results ranged between 0.100 and 0.158 mmol Trolox/g extract, and FRAP changed from 389.90 to 791.02 µmol Fe2+/g extract. The results demonstrated that the differences between the alfalfa varieties were significant (p < 0.01) in terms of analyzed characters. © 2021, Centenary University. All rights reserved.

Hydroxycinnamoyl shikimates were reported in 2005 to be intermediates in monolignol biosynthesis. 3-Hydroxylation of p-coumarate, originally thought to occur via coumarate 3-hydroxylase (C3H) from p-coumaric acid or its CoA thioester, was revealed to be via the action of coumaroyl shikimate 3′-hydroxylase (C3′H) utilizing p-coumaroyl shikimate as the substrate, itself derived from p-coumaroyl-CoA via hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA: shikimate hydroxycinnamoyltransferase (HCT). The same HCT was conjectured to convert the product, caffeoyl shikimate, to caffeoyl-CoA to continue on the pathway starting with its 3-O-methylation. At least in some plants, however, a more recently discovered caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) enzyme hydrolyzes caffeoyl shikimate to caffeic acid from which it must again produce its CoA thioester to continue on the monolignol biosynthetic pathway. HCT and CSE are therefore monolignol biosynthetic pathway enzymes that have provided new opportunities to misregulate lignification. To facilitate studies into the action and substrate specificity of C3H/C3′H, HCT, and CSE enzymes, as well as for metabolite authentication and for enzyme characterization, including kinetics, a source of authentic substrates and products was required. A synthetic scheme starting from commercially available shikimic acid and the four key hydroxycinnamic acids (p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, and sinapic acid) has been developed to provide this set of hydroxycinnamoyl shikimates for researchers.

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi alelopatski potencijal lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) na klijavost sjemena i rast klijanaca rotkvice (Raphanus sativus L.), radiča (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum) i rajčice (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Vodeni ekstrakti pripremljeni od suhe nadzemne mase lucerne u tri koncentracije (1 %, 2,5 % i 5 %) testirani su u laboratorijskim uvjetima. Alelopatski potencijal lucerne ovisio je o test vrsti, koncentraciji vodenog ekstrakta te mjerenom parametru. Najslabije djelovanje zabilježeno je na klijavost te rast klijanaca rajčice. Povećanjem koncentracije vodenog ekstrakta povećavao se i negativni alelopatski potencijal. Najmanji utjecaj vodenih ekstrakata zabilježen je na suhu masu klijanaca test vrsta., The aim of the study was to determine the allelopathic potential of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on seed germination and seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), radicchio (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum) and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Water extracts prepared from dry alfalfa biomass in three concentrations (1%, 2.5% and 5%) were tested under laboratory conditions. The allelopathic potential of alfalfa depended on the test species, the water extract concentration, and the measured parameter. The weakest effect was recorded on germination and growth of tomato seedlings. As the concentration of the water extract increased, the negative allelopathic potential also increased. Dry weight of seedlings of test species was the least affected.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment failure is often attributed to autotoxicity when alfalfa is reseeded shortly after termination of the previous alfalfa stand, but renovation/rotation strategies for irrigated semiarid, subtropical environments have not been studied. Two identical studies were initiated at the New Mexico State University Rex E. Kirksey Agricultural Science Center at Tucumcari, NM, USA to compare continuous alfalfa (ALF), a single year of rotation to sorghum-sudangrass (SS1, Sorghum bicolor × S. sudanense (Piper) Stapf), two years of rotation with sorghum-sudangrass (SS2), and winter wheat forage (Triticum aestivum L.) followed by a single season of sorghum-sudangrass (WW/SS). Soil type and renovation/rotation strategy may influence soil fertility prior to replanting alfalfa, but soil fertility did not appear to influence alfalfa re-establishment or first production year yields. With a Test x Rotation interaction due to differences between tests for WW/SS for first production year yield after September alfalfa replanting, the main effect of Rotation was significant for yield (6.43AB, 5.3B0, 6.92A, and 3.54C Mg ha−1 for ALF, SS1, SS2, and WW/SS, respectively, 5% LSD = 1.22). Alfalfa stand destruction and replanting with no intervening crop rotation may be feasible in sandy soils with irrigation in the semiarid, subtropical southwestern USA and similar environments.

This study aims to determine the effects of whipped cream addition to alfalfa on fermentation quality and relative feed value (RFV). Alfalfa harvested at the beginning of blooming (5th cutting) was withered under laboratory conditions for 48 hours. In the study, 4 different levels of whipped cream were used, and no additives were added to the control group. A total of 20 packages of silage were left for fermentation in a closed storage (16±2 °C) for 90 days, 4 repetitions for each group. As a results of this study dry matter (DM) contents of silages increased due to the increase in the level of whipped cream addition. pH of silages was decreased significantly in the groups that participated in 20 ve 30 g kg-1 of whipped cream compared to the control (P < 0.01). In these groups, crude protein (CP) amount was higher (P < 0,01), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) was lower (P < 0.01) than control and other whipped cream groups. The water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents increased in parallel with the increase in the whipped cream level added to the alfalfa, and lactic acid (LA), as for that, was determined to be the highest (80.40 g kg-1 DM) level in the group with 30 g kg-1 whipped cream. In the same group, neutral detergent fiber (NDF: 383.1 g kg-1 DM) and acid detergent fiber (ADF: 245.4 g kg-1 DM) were observed to be at the lowest level, yeast numbers decreased similarly, enterobacter and mold did not develop, and RFV increased. According to the results obtained from the study, it was demonstrated that by adding 20 or 30 mg kg-1 of whipped cream to alfalfa, quality alfalfa silage could be obtained, and the waste whipped cream can be used as a silage additive and can be recycled to the economy. Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar os efeitos da adição de creme de leite à alfafa sobre a qualidade da fermentação e valor relativo da ração (VRR). A alfafa colhida no início da floração (5º corte) foi seca em laboratório por 48 horas. No estudo, 4 níveis diferentes de creme de leite foram usados e nenhum aditivo foi adicionado ao grupo controle. No total, 20 embalagens de silagens foram deixadas para fermentação em local fechado (16 ± 2 ° C) por 90 dias, sendo 4 repetições para cada grupo.Os teores de matéria seca (MS) das silagens aumentaram devido ao aumento do nível de adição de creme de leite. O pH das silagens diminuiu significativamente nos grupos que participaram de 20 a 30 g kg-1 de creme de leite em relação ao controle (P < 0,01).Nestes grupos, o teor de proteína bruta (PB) foi maior (P < 0,01) e o nitrogênio amoniacal (NH3-N) foi menor (P < 0,01) do que o controle e os demais grupos com creme de leite. Os teores de carboidratos solúveis em água (CSA) aumentaram paralelamente ao aumento do teor de creme de leite adicionado à alfafa, e o ácido lático (AL), nesse sentido, foi determinado como o maior nível (80,40 g kg-1 MS) no grupo com 30 g kg-1 de creme.No mesmo grupo, a fibra em detergente neutro (FDN: 383.1 g kg-1 DM) e a fibra em detergente ácido (FDA: 245.4 g kg-1 DM) foram observados no nível mais baixo. O número de leveduras diminuiu de forma semelhante, enterobactéria e fungos não se desenvolveram e a VRR aumentou.De acordo com os resultados obtidos no estudo, foi demonstrado que adicionando 20 ou 30 mg kg-1 de creme de leite à alfafa, pode-se obter silagem de alfafa de qualidade, e o creme de leite residual pode ser utilizado como aditivo de silagem e pode ser reciclado para a economia.

This paper presents the results of experimental research on the development and substantiation of parameters and operating modes of the drive mechanism of the cutting apparatus in a mower with a double knife stroke. A structural and technological scheme of the drive mechanism of the cutting device of the segment-finger type mower has been developed, in which a double stroke of the cutting device knife is provided. Analytical relationships were obtained to determine the knife stroke, speed and acceleration. Based on the results of theoretical and experimental studies, the main parameters of the mower drive mechanism were substantiated. Based on the condition of a high-quality cut of plants, at a minimum grass cutting speed, the minimum crank shaft speed was determined. By calculation, the feed area and the load area of the cutter for normal cutting with a double cut of the knife are determined. Analytical relationships were obtained to determine the power required to drive the cutterbar of a mower with a double knife stroke. Based on the research results, the main parameters of the mower with an improved drive are substantiated. An experimental sample was made and preliminary tests of the drive mechanism were carried out, agrotechnical and energy indicators of the mower operation were determined., В данной работе представлены результаты экспериментальных исследований по разработке и обоснованию параметров и режимов работы механизма привода режущего аппарата косилки с двойным проходом ножа. Разработана структурно-технологическая схема механизма привода режущего аппарата косилки сегментно-пальцевого типа, в которой предусмотрен двойной проход ножа режущего аппарата. Были получены аналитические зависимости для определения прохода, скорости и ускорения ножа. На основании результатов теоретических и экспериментальных исследований были обоснованы основные параметры механизма привода косилки. Исходя из условия качественного среза растений, при минимальной скорости скашивания травы была определена минимальная частота вращения коленчатого вала. Расчетным путем определяются площадь подачи и площадь нагрузки резца при нормальной резке с двойным проходом ножа. Были получены аналитические зависимости для определения мощности, необходимой для привода режущего аппарата косилки с двойным проходом ножа. По результатам исследований обоснованы основные параметры косилки с улучшенным приводом. Был изготовлен экспериментальный образец и проведены предварительные испытания механизма привода, определены агротехнические и энергетические показатели работы косилки., У даній роботі представлені результати експериментальних досліджень з розробки та обґрунтування параметрів і режимів роботи механізму приводу ріжучого апарату косарки з подвійним проходом ножа. Розроблено структурно-технологічну схему механізму приводу ріжучого апарату косарки сегментно-пальцевого типу, в якій передбачений подвійний прохід ножа ріжучого апарату. Були отримані аналітичні залежності для визначення проходу, швидкості і прискорення ножа. На підставі результатів теоретичних і експериментальних досліджень були обґрунтовані основні параметри механізму приводу косарки. Виходячи з умови якісного зрізу рослин, при мінімальній швидкості скошування трави була визначена мінімальна частота обертання колінчастого вала. Розрахунковим шляхом визначаються площа подачі і площа навантаження різця при нормальному різанні з подвійним проходом ножа. Були отримані аналітичні залежності для визначення потужності, необхідної для приводу ріжучого апарату косарки з подвійним проходом ножа. За результатами досліджень обґрунтовані основні параметри косарки з поліпшеним приводом. Був виготовлений експериментальний зразок і проведені попередні випробування механізму приводу, визначені агротехнічні та енергетичні показники роботи косарки.

The purpose of the research was to determine the effect of the foliar use of a growth regulator with the trade name of Tytanit, containing titanium ascorbate, on photosynthetic activity and chlorophyll content in Medicago × varia T. Martyn leaves. There were two kinds of plots: C – control series; Ti – plants treated with Tytanit, containing 8.5 g of titanium in 1 dm3. The following parameters were determined: maximum photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm) in a dark-adapted state, actual photosystem II efficiency (ΔF/Fm’) in a light-adapted state, photochemical quenching factor (QP), non-photochemical quenching factor (QN), and chlorophyll a and b content. The Fisher-Snedecor test was used to determine whether the impact of experimental factors was significant, and the HSD 0.05 value was calculated using Tukey’s test. Compared to control, the photosynthetic apparatus performance of alfalfa was positively affected by the regulator compared to control. Tytanit applied to plant leaves increased their photosynthetic activity as a result of an increase in the content of chlorophyll pigments. It was also found that periods of rainfall deficiency did not affect the beneficial effects of the regulator.

Grassland is the primary land use in China but has experienced severe degradation in recent decades due to overgrazing and conversion to agricultural production. Here, we conducted a field experiment in northeastern Inner Mongolia to test the effectiveness of sown pastures in lowering the grazing pressure on grasslands and raising the quality of marginal soils. Alfalfa and smooth bromegrass monocultures and mixture were sown in a marginal cropland field in Hulunber in June 2016. Biomass productivity, soil physicochemical, and biological properties were monitored annually from 2016 to 2020. The results showed that the marginal cropland soil responded consistently positively to sown pastures for major soil properties. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) increased by 48 and 21%, respectively, from 2016 to 2020 over the 0-60 cm soil depth range. Soil microbes responded proactively too. The soil microbial biomass C (SMBC) and N (SMBN) increased by 117 and 39%, respectively, during the period of 2016-2020. However, by the end of the experiment, the soil of a natural grassland field, which was included in the experiment as a control, led the sown pasture soil by 28% for SOC, 35% for TN, 66% for SMBC, and 96% for SMBN. Nevertheless, the natural grassland soil’s productive capacity was inferior to that of the sown pasture soil. The average aboveground biomass productivity of sown pastures was measured at 8.4 Mg ha-1 in 2020, compared to 5.0 Mg ha-1 for natural grassland, while the root biomass of sown pastures was averaged at 7.5 Mg ha-1, leading the natural grassland by 15%. Our analyses also showed that the sown pastures’ biomass productivity advantage had a much-neglected potential in natural grassland protection. If 50% of the available marginal cropland resources in Hulunber under the current environmental protection law were used for sown pastures, the livestock grazing pressure on the natural grasslands would decrease by a big margin of 38%. Overall, these results represent systematic empirical and analytical evidence of marginal cropland soil’s positive responses to sown pastures, which shows clearly that sown pasture is a valid measure both for soil rehabilitation and biomass production.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial forage legume that is widely distributed throughout the world, and cold stress is an important environmental factor limiting the growth and production of alfalfa in cold regions. However, little is known of the molecular mechanisms regarding cold tolerance in alfalfa. Here, we conducted physiological metabolism assays and pan-transcriptome sequencing on eight cultivars of alfalfa under cold stress conditions. The results of the RNA-seq analysis showed that the genes are “oxidoreductase activity” and “transcription regulator activity”, suggesting that genes with such functions are more likely to play important roles in the response to cold stress by alfalfa. In addition, to identify specific gene modules and hub genes in response to alfalfa cold stress, we applied weighted gene co-expression network (WGCNA) analyses to the RNA-seq data. Our results indicate that the modules of genes that focus on the ATPase complex, ribosome biogenesis, are more likely to be involved in the alfalfa response to cold stress. It is important to note that we identified two fibronectin (FIB) genes as hub genes in alfalfa in response to cold stress and that they negatively regulate alfalfa response to chilling stress, and it is possible that dormant alfalfa is more effective at down-regulating FIB expression and therefore more resistant to cold stress.

Crop variety selection is one of the most important choices on the farm. Crop genetics determine a significant portion of the yield potential and resource use efficiency. Crop types and genetics that use water more efficiently will become increasingly important as water becomes scarcer. Throughout Utah and the Western United States, water availability is decreasing due to various factors, including reduced snowpack and rapid urban growth. Alfalfa, other hay, small grains, and corn are grown on more acres than any other crops in Utah and much of the Intermountain West. These crops all have varieties, hybrids, and cultivars with the potential for more efficient water use while mitigating yield loss. Navigating these options and understanding various mechanisms and effectiveness can be a challenge. This guide will address some of the primary mechanisms, options, and effectiveness of crop genetics for improved water use efficiency.

ispartof: AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT vol:284 status: accepted

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different percentages of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay (AH) and doses of guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) in the diet on the mitigation of greenhouse gas production, the in vitro rumen fermentation profile and methane (CH4) conversion efficiency. AH percentages were defined for the diets of beef and dairy cattle, as well as under grazing conditions (10 (AH10), 25 (AH25) and 100% (AH100)), while the GAA doses were 0 (control), 0.0005, 0.0010, 0.0015, 0.0020, 0.0025 and 0.0030 g g−1 DM diet. With an increased dose of GAA, the total gas production (GP) and methane (CH4) increased (p = 0.0439) in the AH10 diet, while in AH25 diet, no effect was observed (p = 0.1311), and in AH100, GP and CH4 levels decreased (p = 0.0113). In addition, the increase in GAA decreased (p = 0.0042) the proportion of CH4 in the AH25 diet, with no influence (p = 0.1050) on CH4 in the AH10 and AH100 diet groups. Carbon monoxide production decreased (p = 0.0227) in the AH100 diet with most GAA doses, and the other diets did not show an effect (p = 0.0617) on carbon monoxide, while the production of hydrogen sulfide decreased (p = 0.0441) in the AH10 and AH100 diets with the addition of GAA, with no effect observed in association with the AH25 diet (p = 0.3162). The pH level increased (p < 0.0001) and dry matter degradation (DMD) decreased (p < 0.0001) when AH was increased from 10 to 25%, while 25 to 100% AH contents had the opposite effect. In addition, with an increased GAA dose, only the pH in the AH100 diet increased (p = 0.0142 and p = 0.0023) the DMD in the AH10 diet group. Similarly, GAA influenced (p = 0.0002) SCFA, ME and CH4 conversion efficiency but only in the AH10 diet group. In this diet group, it was observed that with an increased dose of GAA, SCFA and ME increased (p = 0.0002), while CH4 per unit of OM decreased (p = 0.0002) only with doses of 0.0010, 0.0015 and 0.0020 g, with no effect on CH4 per unit of SCFA and ME (p = 0.1790 and p = 0.1343). In conclusion, the positive effects of GAA depend on the percentage of AH, and diets with 25 and 100% AH showed very little improvement with the addition of GAA, while the diet with 10% AH presented the best results.

Seed aging is always taken as a crucial factor for vigor loss due to delayed seed germination and seedling growth, which limits hay production. Many studies have found that telomeres are closely related to abiotic stress and seed vigor. However, the molecular mechanism of telomeres’ response to abiotic stress, seed vigor, and the maintenance mechanism of plant telomere homeostasis still remain unclear. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) enjoys the title of “King of Forage”, and is an important protein forage for the dairy industry as planted in the world. This comprehensive investigation was performed to explore the molecular characterization, phylogenetic relationship, and gene expression analysis of MsTERT under abiotic stress and during seed aging in alfalfa. In this study, MsTERT was identified from the ‘Zhongmu 1’ alfalfa genome and encoded a coding sequence (CDS) of 3615 bp in length, consisting of telomerase- RNA-Binding Domain (RBD) and Reverse Transcriptase (RT) domains, 1024 amino acids, an isoelectric point of 9.58, and a relative molecular mass of 138.94 kD. Subcellular localization showed that MsTERT was mainly localized in the nucleus and mitochondria. The results of the expression profile showed that MsTERT was observed to respond to various stress conditions such as salt (100 mmol/L NaCl) and drought (20% PEG 6000). Furthermore, exogenous hormones IAA, ABA, and GA3 showed the potential to affect MsTERT expression. Additionally, MsTERT also responded to seed aging. Our results revealed a marginal but significant association between relative telomere length, MsTERT expression, and seed germination percentage, suggesting that the length of telomeres was shortened, and expression of MsTERT decreased with alfalfa seed aged. These results provide some evidence for the hypothesis of relative telomere length and/or TERT expression serving as biomarkers of seed aging. Although this finding is helpful to offer a new way to elucidate the molecular mechanism of vigor loss in alfalfa seed, further investigation is required to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which the MsTERT gene regulates seed vigor.

The application of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) is an effective method to prolong the use time of feed, but the understanding of the interaction mechanism between fungal microorganisms and silage quality and aerobic stability in FTMR is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay to oat (Avena sativa L.) hay ratios on chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and fungal communities during aerobic exposure of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR). The supplement levels of oat were as follows: 200 g/kg oat hay (LO), 300 g/kg oat hay (MO), and 400 g/kg oat hay (HO). The water content of the three treatments was adjusted to 50% using a sprayer. After 60 days of ensiling, the bags were opened, and the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and fungal communities were measured after 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of aerobic exposure. The results suggested that the LO treatment significantly (p < 0.05) increased the aerobic stability than that in other treatments. The crude protein and lactic acid content in the three treatments were significantly decreased with the extension of the aerobic exposure period. Additionally, there was a remarkable (p < 0.05) higher lactic acid content observed in the LO treatment than that in the HO treatment during the aerobic stage. The PCoA showed that the compositions of the fungal community in the HO treatment were distinctly separated from the other two treatments. Compared with HO and LO treatments, the MO treatment observed relatively higher OTU, Shannon, and Chao1 indexes. Compared with LO and MO treatments, the abundances of the genes Saccharomyces and Wallemia were greater increased and decreased in the HO treatment, respectively. Integrated correlation analysis also underscores a possible link between the fermentation characteristics, aerobic stability, and significantly altered fungal community. This study suggested that the use of FTMR in production might prolong aerobic storage time when alfalfa was fermented in a mixture with ≤30% oat.

Background: Inoculation with plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) effectively increases plant growth in agriculture. However, the role of the rhizobiome in plant growth remains unclear. Methods: Biolog Ecoplate and 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing techniques were used to analyze the changes in microbial community diversity, composition, and function after PGPR inoculation. Soil physicochemical and enzyme activities were also measured. Results: PGPR inoculation significantly promoted the growth of alfalfa. Using a Biolog Ecoplate, inoculation improved the metabolic activity and carbon source utilization of soil microorganisms. PGPR inoculation significantly increased the diversity and richness of the soil bacterial community in the rhizosphere of alfalfa and increased the relative abundance of key bacterial taxa such as Arthrobacter, Sphingomonas, and Bacillus, which are conducive to plant growth. Conclusions: Inoculation with PGPR enriched bacterial taxa and improved the utilization of carbon sources beneficial for plant growth. PGPR inoculation induced changes in microbial community diversity, and relevant functions in the rhizosphere contributed to alfalfa growth under field conditions.

Alfalfa is an unconventional alternative legume and its potentiality for utilization can be improved by processing. In this study, alfalfa seeds were processed by different thermal and non-thermal techniques and evaluated for their physical properties, colour characteristics, nutritional composition, pasting profile and protein secondary structure. The results were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis to elucidate the effect of processing. Colour of the flour was more affected by thermal processing in comparison to non-thermal processing. Nutritional composition of alfalfa flour was significantly affected by germination as compared to other methods and germinated flour showed an increase in the protein content. All the processing treatments resulted in improving the pasting properties except for germination. Particularly, marked improvement in the pasting properties was observed by wet heat processing and soaking. ATR-FTIR exhibited change in the secondary structure of the protein as a result of processing and showed the dominance of intermolecular β-sheets in extrusion, germination and microwave treated flour and formation of anti-parallel β-sheets after dry heat processing. Wet heat processing and soaking treatment can be employed for alfalfa for enhancing its techno-functionality.

The legume plant alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a widely cultivated perennial forage due to its high protein content, palatability, and strong adaptability to diverse agro-ecological zones. Alfalfa is a self-incompatible cross-pollinated autotetraploid species with tetrasomic inheritance. Therefore, maintaining excellent traits through seed reproduction is a prime challenge in alfalfa. However, the cutting propagation technology could enable consistent multiplication of quality plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant. The current study aimed to develop a simple, cost-effective, reproducible, and efficient hydroponic cutting method to preserve alfalfa plants and for molecular research. In this study, alfalfa landrace ‘Wudi’ was grown in hydroponics for 30 days and used as source material for cuttings. The top, middle and bottom sections of its stem were used as cuttings. The rooting rate, root length, and stem height of the different stem sections were compared to determine the best segment for alfalfa propagation in four nutrient treatments (HM, HM + 1/500H, HM + 1/1000H and d HM + 1/2000H). After 21 days of culture, the rooting rates of all the three stem types under four cutting nutrient solutions were above 78%. The rooting rate of the middle and bottom parts in HM + 1/1000 H and HM + 1/2000 H nutrient solutions reached more than 93%, with a higher health survey score (> 4.70). In conclusion, this study developed a de novo cutting propagation method that can be used to conserve and propagate germplasm in breeding programs and research. This method is a new report on the cutting propagation of alfalfa by hydroponics, which could supplement the existing cutting propagation methods.

Flavonoids have attracted the phytochemical scientists attention since their discovery. Today, with the COVID-19 pandemic, have been information about a favorable therapeutic effect in the treatment dynamics of simultaneously taking treatment protocol drugs with traditional Chinese medicine (dietary supplements of plant origin, separate isolated natural compounds) for more than 85% of Chinese patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Have been presence and content of flavonoids as a class of natural compounds genetically related to the development and accumulation of benzo-α-pyrone derivatives in the aerial part of 20 alfalfa varieties from different breeding sites in the South of Ukraine introduction. The studies were carried out in 2015–2019. Accounting for the main traits and phenological observations of plant development were carried out according to the method field and laboratory research. The cultivation has been carried out on the territory of the southern part left bank Ukraine (on the border of the forest steppe and steppe zones). The raw material for analysis (alfalfa herb) was harvested by cutting off the plants in the flowering stage, dried in the shade, under a canopy, turned over periodically. Solutions for the flavonoids determination were obtained by boiling a crushed raw materials sample with ethanol (70% v/v). Chromatographic separation has been performed on a Shimadzu LC-20 Prominence liquid chromatograph (Shimadzu, Japan) with a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (2); column temperature 35 °C; detection wavelength – from 270 nm to 520 nm; the separation mode is gradient with a constant rate flow of the mobile phase 1 ml/min. The injection volume is 0.5 μl. The compounds presence and content in the alfalfa varieties obtained extracts vary widely enough under the same conditions of sowing, processing, and growing. The Tajik variety Vakhshskaya 233 is the leader in the content of luteolin-7-glucoside. The American variety WL 508 is the richest in routine (0.50920 mg/g). Cinnamic acid was found in maximum quantities in the Mexican variety Tanhuato (0.24406 mg/g), and this component is completely absent in the Ukrainian variety Sinyukha.

Argon, a non-polar molecule, easily diffuses into deeper tissue and interacts with larger proteins, protein cavities, or even receptors. Some of the biological effects of argon, notably its activity as an antioxidant, have been revealed in animals. However, whether and how argon influences plant physiology remains elusive. Here, we provide the first report that argon can enable plants to cope with salinity toxicity. Considering the convenience of the application, argon gas was dissolved into water (argon-rich water (ARW)) to investigate the argon’s functioning in phenotypes of alfalfa seed germination and seedling growth upon salinity stress. The biochemical evidence showed that NaCl-decreased α/β-amylase activities were abolished by the application of ARW. The qPCR experiments confirmed that ARW increased NHX1 (Na+/H+ antiporter) transcript and decreased SKOR (responsible for root-to-shoot translocation of K+) mRNA abundance, the latter of which could be used to explain the lower net K+ efflux and higher K accumulation. Subsequent results using non-invasive micro-test technology showed that the argon-intensified net Na+ efflux and its reduced Na accumulation resulted in a lower Na+/K+ ratio. NaCl-triggered redox imbalance and oxidative stress were impaired by ARW, as confirmed by histochemical and confocal analyses, and increased antioxidant defense was also detected. Combined with the pot experiments in a greenhouse, the above results clearly demonstrated that argon can enable plants to cope with salinity toxicity via reestablishing ion and redox homeostasis. To our knowledge, this is the first report to address the function of argon in plant physiology, and together these findings might open a new window for the study of argon biology in plant kingdoms.

Agriculture intensification threatens farmland bird populations because, among other reasons, it reduces the availability of food resources required to rear their offspring. In our study, we sampled and analyzed total arthropod abundance, biomass and richness, and orthopteran and coleopteran abundance and biomass in different agricultural habitats (alfalfa fields, stubble fields, grazed fields, and field margins) across 4 study localities with different levels of agriculture abandonment–intensification, comparing between areas used and not used by one of the most threatened farmland birds in Europe, the little bustard (Tetrax tetrax), during the chick-rearing season. Field margins were the taxonomically richest habitat, while alfalfa fields presented significantly higher total arthropod abundance and biomass than other habitats. All arthropod variables were the highest in the localities with clear conservation-focused agrarian management, and the lowest in the most intensive one. Areas used by little bustards had higher orthopteran and coleopteran abundance and biomass than nonused areas, except for coleopteran biomass in grazed fields. These results highlight the relevance of these arthropods for the species, the importance of dry alfalfa fields as food reservoirs in this critical time of year, the food scarcity in sites where agrarian management disregards farmland bird conservation, and the role of stubbles as providers of food resources during the chick-rearing season in areas used by the species. The adequate management of alfalfa fields and stubbles to provide those key resources seems crucial to improve little bustard breeding success., We thank the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) and Fundación Patrimonio Natural (FPN) de Castilla y León in the persons of Cédric Ferlat (IFHC), David Cubero (Dirección General de Medio Natural, Junta de CyL), and Francisco Jiménez (FPN) for their financial, administrative, and logistic support. This paper also contributes to project S2018/EMT-4338 REMEDINAL TE-CM from Comunidad de Madrid. We are also thankful to the officers responsible for the Reserve of Villafáfila, Mariano Rodíguez y Jesús Palacios. Little bustard spring survey data were kindly provided by SEO-BirdLife.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage legume grown in Kansas, USA and its productivity with cool-season grasses however is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter yield (DMY) and forage nutritive value of alfalfa-grass mixtures compared to those of alfalfa and grasses grown in monoculture with and without nitrogen fertilization. Three different alfalfa varieties were planted (reduced-lignin alfalfa, Roundup Ready, and conventional alfalfa) and two kinds of cool-season grasses (smooth brome, Bromus inermis Leyss, and tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb) were planted as a monoculture or in alfalfa-grass mixtures. Nitrogen fertilizer (urea) was applied at green-up at a rate of 56 kg/ha and after the second cutting at a rate of 56 kg/ha in 2016 and 2017, respectively. and control treatments received no nitrogen. DMY was significantly higher in monoculture alfalfa and alfalfa-grass mixtures than in grass monocultures. Between alfalfa monoculture and alfalfa-grass mixtures, no significant differences in DMY were found. For all treatments, nitrogen application significantly increased DMY compared to the control. In 2016 and 2017, the low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had the lowest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and the grass monocultures had the highest ADF. In 2016 and 2017, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in smooth bromegrass and tall fescue was higher than in other species treatments. A low-lignin alfalfa monoculture had significantly lower NDF concentration compared to alfalfa-grass mixtures. When averaged over 2016 and 2017, relative feed value (RFV) was highest in low-lignin alfalfa and lowest in the grass monocultures. In both years, nitrogen fertilizer application did not affect nutritive values.

Ruminants would suffer from gastric distension (bloat) when feeding on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; Alf), while tannins can relieve this problem. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of Alf mixed with paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera) leaves (PML) or condensed tannins (CT) extracted from PML on in vitro fermentation performance. Seven experimental treatments based on the mass ratios of Alf and PML were set up: Alf, PML, 3A1P (Alf:PML = 3:1), 1A1P (Alf:PML = 1:1), 1A3P (Alf:PML = 1:3), A1P (Alf with 1% CT extracted from PML), A2P (Alf with 2% CT extracted from PML), and a blank. The results after fermentation were as follows. (1) The degradable dry matter (DDM) and degradable organic matter (DOM) contents increased simultaneously with the increase in the proportion of PML (p .05), propionic, and butyric acids compared to Alf alone. Adding CT improved the concentrations of propionic and butyric acids over the Alf treatment (p

Legumes have a high demand for phosphorus (P) but also have effective physiological and morphological strategies of P mobilisation. In order to evaluate the inter- and intraspecific P efficiency of small-grain legumes under contrasting long-term P management, eight accessions each of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) were cultivated in two consecutive growing periods from 2020 to 2021 in a field trial established in 1998. Six treatments (no P, triple-superphosphate (TSP), biomass ash, cattle manure, biowaste compost, and biowaste compost + TSP) were considered as P sources. While the yield clearly varied between both growing seasons, the differences between alfalfa and red clover were relatively small (4.7 vs. 4.9 Mg ha−1 in 2020 and 12.0 vs. 10.5 Mg ha−1 in 2021, p < 0.05). Even after more than 20 years of P management, crop yields were hardly affected by mineral P sources (TSP and biomass ash) while organic fertilisers increased the yields and nutrient uptake of plants and also raised soil P pools and the activities of soil enzymes in comparison to the control. A relevant crop effect was only found for the nitrogen (N) leaching with higher mineral N contents in 60 to 90 cm soil depth measured for red clover compared to alfalfa (11.8 vs. 4.8 kg ha−1, p < 0.05). Our results emphasise the high P efficiency of small-grain legumes without pronounced inter- or intraspecific differences. The yield-enhancing effect of organic amendments was related to higher soil fertility rather than to P supply.

The rac-GR24, an artificial analog of strigolactone, is known for its roles in inhibiting branches, and previous studies have reported that it has a certain mechanism to relieve abiotic stress, but the underlying metabolic mechanisms of mitigation for drought-induced remain unclear. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to identify associated metabolic pathways that are regulated by rac-GR24 in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and to determine the metabolic mechanisms of rac-GR24 that are involved in drought-induced root exudate. The alfalfa seedling WL-712 was treated with 5% PEG to simulate drought, and rac-GR24 at a concentration of 0.1 µM was sprayed. After three days of treatment, root secretions within 24 h were collected. Osmotic adjustment substances and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured as physiological indicators, while LS/MS was performed to identify metabolites regulated by rac-GR24 of root exudate under drought. The results demonstrated that rac-GR24 treatment could alleviate the negative effects from drought-induced on alfalfa root, as manifested by increased osmotic adjustment substance content, cell membrane stability, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Among the 14 differential metabolites, five metabolites were uniquely downregulated in plants in rac-GR24 treatment. In addition, rac-GR24 could relieve drought-induced adverse effects on alfalfa through metabolic reprogramming in the pathways of the TCA cycle, pentose phosphate, tyrosine metabolism, and the purine pathway. This study indicated that rac-GR24 could improve the drought resistance of alfalfa by influencing the components of root exudates.

Rhizome-rooted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an excellent forage for establishing grazing and ecological grasslands, requiring a high and stable yield. Studying the genetic and physiological basis of stable expression of biomass traits is essential for improving production performance in rhizome-rooted alfalfa. We analyzed forage mass and photosynthetic physiological indices of the improved progenies (RSA−01, RSA−02, and RSA−03), parental “Qingshui” (CK1), and “WL168” (CK2) at ages one and five years and their relationships, then revealed heterotic stability. Moreover, we explored the effects of interannual dynamics and genetic differences on tested indices. The results revealed compared with the forage mass of CK1, RSA−03 at ages one and five years increased by 22.17% and 19.72%, respectively, while RSA−01 and RSA−02 varied from 1.40% to 8.65%, indicating obvious heterosis in forage mass of RSA−03. At one year of age, Gs value, Car content and SS content of RSA−03 were higher than those of CK1; SS content of RSA−03 were higher than those of CK2 and RSA−02; Ci, Gs and Tr values of RSA−03 were higher than those of RSA−01. At five years of age, Pn, Gs, and WUE values, and Sta content of RSA−03 were higher than those of CK1; Ci value and Suc content of RSA−03 were higher than those of CK2; Car content and Gs value of RSA−03 were higher than those of other progenies. The forage mass; Chl(a/b) ratio; Pn, Gs, and WUE values; Suc content of RSA−03 at age five years were higher than those at age one year by 9.99%–44.24%. Through path analysis, Gs and NSC were direct factors affecting forage mass at age one year, and both Pn and SP affected forage mass indirectly through Gs; Gs and Chl(a+b) were direct factors affecting forage mass at age five years, and SS affected forage mass indirectly through Gs. Interestingly, Chlb, Chl(a/b), Pn, Tr, Gs, Ci, Suc, SP, and SS were more influenced by age than genetics, while the opposite was true for Car and Sta. Accordingly, RSA−03 showed obvious and stable heterosis in forage mass and photosynthetic physiology, recommending the establishment of grazing pastures and ecological vegetation.

Cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are ubiquitous soil pollutants that promote the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. Tolerance depends on signalling processes that activate different defence barriers, such as accumulation of small heat sock proteins (sHSPs), activation of antioxidant enzymes, and the synthesis of phytochelatins (PCs) from the fundamental antioxidant peptide glutathione (GSH), which is probably modulated by ethylene. We studied the early responses of alfalfa seedlings after short exposure (3, 6, and 24 h) to moderate to severe concentration of Cd and Hg (ranging from 3 to 30 μM), to characterize in detail several oxidative stress parameters and biothiol (i.e., GSH and PCs) accumulation, in combination with the ethylene signalling blocker 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Most changes occurred in roots of alfalfa, with strong induction of cellular oxidative stress, H2O2 generation, and a quick accumulation of sHSPs 17.6 and 17.7. Mercury caused the specific inhibition of glutathione reductase activity, while both metals led to the accumulation of PCs. These responses were attenuated in seedlings incubated with 1-MCP. Interestingly, 1-MCP also decreased the amount of PCs and homophytochelatins generated under metal stress, implying that the overall early response to metals was controlled at least partially by ethylene.

The objective of this study was to improve the comprehensive rate of utilization of rapeseed (Brassica napus subsp. napus L.), Myriophyllum (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) spicatum and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), reduce resource waste and environmental pollution. In this experiment, the effects of different proportions of the mixed silage of rapeseed and alfalfa or M. spicatum on the fermentation and nutritional quality were analyzed and further improved the quality of mixed silage using molasses and urea. Rapeseed was separately silaged with alfalfa and M. spicatum based on the ratios of 3:7, 5:5 and 7:3. After 60 days of mixed silage, the fermentation index and nutrient contents were measured to explore the appropriate ratio of mixed silage. The mixing ratio of rapeseed and alfalfa was better at 3:7: The contents of NH3-N/TN (4.61%), lactic acid (96.46 g·kg−1 dry matter [DM]) were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The crude protein content (118.20 g·kg−1 DM) was the highest (p < 0.05), while the pH (4.56) was the lowest when the mixing ratio of rapeseed and M. spicatum was 7:3. Considering the fermentation and nutrition quality, it is suggested that rapeseed and alfalfa should be mixed as silage at a ratio of 3:7 with 3% molasses and 0.3% urea, and rapeseed and M. spicatum should be mixed as silage at a ratio of 7:3 with 3% molasses.

The PLATZ family is a novel class of plant-specific zinc finger transcription factors with important roles in plant growth and development and abiotic stress responses. PLATZ members have been identified in many plants, including Oryza sativa, Zea mays, Triticum aestivum, Fagopyrum tataricum, and Arabidopsis thaliana; however, due to the complexity of the alfalfa reference genome, the members of the PLATZ gene family in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) have not been systematically identified and analyzed. In this study, 55 Medicago sativaPLATZ genes (MsPLATZs) were identified in the alfalfa “Xinjiangdaye” reference genome. Basic bioinformatic analysis was performed, including the characterization of sequence lengths, protein molecular weights, genomic positions, and conserved motifs. Expression analysis reveals that 7 MsPLATZs are tissue-specifically expressed, and 10 MsPLATZs are expressed in all examined tissues. The transcriptomic expression of these genes is obvious, indicating that these MsPLATZs have different functions in the growth and development of alfalfa. Based on transcriptome data analysis and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), we identified 22, 22, and 21 MsPLATZ genes that responded to salt, cold, and drought stress, respectively, with 20 MsPLATZs responding to all three stresses. This study lays a foundation for further exploring the functions of MsPLATZs, and provides ideas for the improvement of alfalfa varieties and germplasm innovation.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) are common forage plants for feeding livestock, and their effects on soil bacterial organisms have been extensively studied. However, there is little comprehensive research on soil bacterial organisms and their function in a long-term alfalfa monocropping system after corn insertion and fertilization. The effects of alfalfa–corn rotation (AF: alfalfa monocropping, RA: alfalfa and corn rotation) and nitrogen fertilization (RA0 and RA15) were investigated in a field experiment. The results showed that fertilization significantly increased the aboveground biomass (AGB) and soil nitrate nitrogen, and corn insertion significantly decreased the nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) (p < 0.05). In addition, the bacterial community structure among the treatments was significantly changed by the rotation and fertilization. The rotational system of RA significantly increased the soil bacterial diversity compared with AF (p < 0.01), and most of the soil bacterial communities were of the phyla Actinobacterota and Proteobacteria. The RA system had a lower relative abundance of Actinobacterota than the AF system. The bacterial function prediction found that the soil carbon and nitrogen cycle processes in RA were more active than those in AF. The RDA analysis revealed that NO3−-N and pH were the main environmental factors affecting the bacterial community structure in the RA system.

Alfalfa exhibits high adaptability to a range of environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the agro-biological traits of alfalfa and select its most promising cultivars under different contrasting vegetation seasons. The field experiment was carried out at the Institute of Agriculture of Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. In 2016 and 2018, eleven alfalfa cultivars of different origin were established in the Endocalcari Epigleyic Cambisol. In the seasons of 2017–2018 and 2019–2020, the agro-biological traits of alfalfa cultivars were evaluated during winter; at the height of spring regrowth; before flowering at the three cuts; and during the fresh and dry matter yields; we also examined the development of diseases at the three cuts. The cultivar Birutė from Lithuania was distinguished by its wintering, its plant height at spring regrowth, its height before flowering, and its fresh and dry matter yields. The cultivar Timbale from France was distinguished by its wintering, spring regrowth, and its height before flowering. The cultivar Magnat from Romania was distinguished by its height before flowering and the fact that it was less damaged by downy mildew. The cultivars Jõgeva 118, Juurlu, and Karlu from Estonia were distinguished by their wintering and the fact that they were less damaged by diseases. The cultivar Eugenia from Italy was distinguished by the fresh and dry matter yields and the height before flowering.

To evaluate the agro-biological traits and select the promising populations of alfalfa under pedoclimatic conditions, field experiments were carried out in two locations of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (western Lithuania 55°70′ N, 21°49′ E and central Lithuania 55°23′ N, 23°51′ E). Eleven populations were established in acidic soil with a pH of 4.0 (experimental site I) and neutral soil with a pH of 7.0 (experimental site II). The productivity and agro-biological traits: fresh matter yield, dry matter yield, seed yield, stem thickness, and stem, leaf, and inflorescence weight of alfalfa populations were evaluated from 2019 to 2021. In the acidic soil, the populations 3056, 3132, 3130, and 3058 yielded more fresh and dry matter compared to the standard cultivar Birutė in the period from 2019 to 2021. In the acidic soil, populations 3131 and 3057 had a higher seed yield compared to the cultivar Birutė in 2019 and 2020, respectively. The 3086 population significantly differed in leaf weight compared to the cultivar Birutė. The cultivar Birutė and population 3132 were similar in stem thickness and fresh matter yield. In the neutral soil, population 3056 yielded more fresh matter compared to the cultivar Birutė.

Aim. Alfalfa is a rich source of phytoestrogens, among them coumestrol which shows strong estrogenic activity that can adversely affect the health of domestic animals. The aim of the study was to determine the variation in coumestrol content in leaves of alfalfa breeding populations, present in the breeding program of Agricultural Institute Osijek in Croatia. Method. Twelve alfalfa populations were selected based on their high forage yield and good persistence. Coumestrol was extracted using acidifi ed methanol as an organic solvent from lyophilized and ground alfalfa leaves, while for detection and quantifi cation was used. Results. Signifi cant differences were observed between the studied populations with average coumestrol content of 435.67 mg/kg of dry matter (DM). The highest content of coumestrol was determined in breeding population Rs-21 (619.53 mg/kg of DM). Conclusions. Populations Rs-33 and Rs-20 had the lowest coumestrol content (82.18 and 86.58 mg/kg, respectively) and present a potential breeding source for creat- ing new contemporary cultivars with decreased coumestrol content

The current paper has presented an overview of the work of the laboratory for breeding and seed production of perennial grasses of the ARC “Donskoy” over a ten-year period. There has been presented a brief history of the development of the laboratory from the moment of its establishment to the present day. The main purpose of the work in this period was the breeding, reproduction, introduction into production of the new alfalfa and sainfoin varieties with a wide range of resistance to various stress factors with high productivity of forage and seeds. In the collection farms of alfalfa there have been tested and agro biologically estimated more than 600 varieties from the world collection of VIR, other research institutions and local hybrids. Based on this work there have been developed an initial material with a wide variability of economically-biological useful characters using the methods of hybridization and selection. The best lines and hybrids were included in the complex hybrid populations, which became the basis for the development of the new alfalfa varieties ‘Selyanka’ (2013) and ‘Golubka’ (2019). Throughout the history of the laboratory, great attention was paid to the development of the new sainfoin varieties, as a result of which there were zoned such varieties as ‘Severokavkazky dvuukosny’ (1947), ‘Zernogradsky 2’ (1998), ‘Zernogradsky 3’ (2001), ‘Atamansky’ (2004), ‘Veles’ (2010). Over the past ten years, there were developed the sainfoin varieties ‘Sudar’ (2013) and ‘Shuravi’ (2019) protected by a patent, the varieties undergone the State Variety Testing, were included into the State List of Breeding Achievements approved for use in several regions of the Russian Federation. There has been given a brief description of the current problems of breeding and primary seed production of perennial grasses, as well as the directions of the laboratory's work to solve them. There has been presented the publication activity of the researchers of the laboratory.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) selection for stress-prone regions has high priority for sustainable crop–livestock systems. This study assessed the genomic selection (GS) ability to predict alfalfa breeding values for drought-prone agricultural sites of Algeria, Morocco, and Argentina; managed-stress (MS) environments of Italy featuring moderate or intense drought; and one Tunisian site irrigated with moderately saline water. Additional aims were to investigate genotype × environment interaction (GEI) patterns and the effect on GS predictions of three single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) calling procedures, 12 statistical models that exclude or incorporate GEI, and allele dosage information. Our study included 127 genotypes from a Mediterranean reference population originated from three geographically contrasting populations, genotyped via genotyping-by-sequencing and phenotyped based on multi-year biomass dry matter yield of their dense-planted half-sib progenies. The GEI was very large, as shown by 27-fold greater additive genetic variance × environment interaction relative to the additive genetic variance and low genetic correlation for progeny yield responses across environments. The predictive ability of GS (using at least 37,969 SNP markers) exceeded 0.20 for moderate MS (representing Italian stress-prone sites) and the sites of Algeria and Argentina while being quite low for the Tunisian site and intense MS. Predictions of GS were complicated by rapid linkage disequilibrium decay. The weighted GBLUP model, GEI incorporation into GS models, and SNP calling based on a mock reference genome exhibited a predictive ability advantage for some environments. Our results support the specific breeding for each target region and suggest a positive role for GS in most regions when considering the challenges associated with phenotypic selection. EEA Santiago del Estero Fil: Annicchiarico, Paolo. Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria. Centro di Ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura; Italia Fil: Nazzicari, Nelson. Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria. Centro di Ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura; Italia Fil: Bouizgaren, Abdelaziz. Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Maroc. Centres Régionaux de Marrakech et de Rabat; Marruecos Fil: Hayek, Taoufik. Institut des Régions Arides de Médenine; Tunez Fil: Laouar, Meriem. Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique. Dép. de Productions Végétales. Laboratoire d’Amélioration Intégrative des Productions Végétales; Argelia Fil: Cornacchione, Monica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero; Argentina Fil: Basigalup, Daniel Horacio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Manfredi. Grupo de Mejoramiento Genético de Alfalfa; Argentina Fil: Monterrubio Martin, Cristina. Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria. Centro di Ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura; Italia Fil: Brummer, E. Charles. University of California at Davies. Depeparment of Plant Sciences. Plant Breeding Center,; Estados Unidos Fil: Pecetti, Luciano. Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l’Analisi dell’Economia Agraria. Centro di Ricerca Zootecnia e Acquacoltura; Italia

Medicago sativa(also known as alfalfa), a forage legume, is widely cultivated due to its high yield and high-value hay crop production. Infectious diseases are a major threat to the crops, owing to huge economic losses to the agriculture industry, worldwide. The protein-protein interactions (PPIs) between the pathogens and their hosts play a critical role in understanding the molecular basis of pathogenesis.Pseudomonas syringaepv.syringaeALF3 suppresses the plant’s innate immune response by secreting type III effector proteins into the host cell, causing bacterial stem blight in alfalfa. The alfalfa-P. syringaesystem has little information available for PPIs. Thus, to understand the infection mechanism, we elucidated the genome-scale host-pathogen interactions (HPIs) between alfalfa andP. syringaeusing two computational approaches: interolog-based and domain-based method. A total of ∼14 M putative PPIs were predicted between 50,629 alfalfa proteins and 2,932P. syringaeproteins by combining these approaches. Additionally, ∼0.7 M consensus PPIs were also predicted. The functional analysis revealed thatP. syringaeproteins are highly involved in nucleotide binding activity (GO:0000166), intracellular organelle (GO:0043229), and translation (GO:0006412) while alfalfa proteins are involved in cellular response to chemical stimulus (GO:0070887), oxidoreductase activity (GO:0016614), and Golgi apparatus (GO:0005794). According to subcellular localization predictions, most of the pathogen proteins targeted host proteins within the cytoplasm and nucleus. In addition, we discovered a slew of new virulence effectors in the predicted HPIs. The current research describes an integrated approach for deciphering genome-scale host-pathogen PPIs between alfalfa andP. syringae, allowing the researchers to better understand the pathogen’s infection mechanism and develop pathogen-resistant lines.