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Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) is a non-bloating, perennial legume that has shown persistence under grazing. Limited information is available on its seedling establishment and subsequent forage yield and nutritive value in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures. Field plots were seeded in May 2013 at Melfort, SK, Canada, to evaluate ‘Oxley II’ cicer milkvetch performance in ‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa or alfalfa and ‘AC Success’ hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehmann× Bromus inermis Leyss.) mixtures from 2014 to 2017. Two controlled environment tests were also conducted by treating seeds of CMV using alfalfa root aqueous extract. Seed germination and seedling height of CMV were significantly reduced in aqueous extract. In the field, establishment of CMV in a mixture containing alfalfa was reduced, and CMV dry matter proportion in the mixture increased only 3.5% over three years. Increasing CMV seeding rate did not increase its dry matter (DM) percent in the mixtures, indicating a high allelopathic effect of alfalfa. Forage DM yield of all mixtures was linearly correlated to the proportion of alfalfa, and adding hybrid brome did not increase the DM yield. Forage DM yield was higher for the three-cut than the two-cut treatments for CMV–alfalfa mixtures, but there was no difference between the cutting frequency for CMV–alfalfa–hybrid brome mixtures. Fiber concentrations decreased linearly with increased CMV seeding rate in the mixtures. This study showed that CMV establishment in alfalfa mixtures was reduced in a same-row seeding, and the allelopathic effect was not reduced by lower alfalfa seeding rates or adding a grass.

The present study is aimed at quantifying and comparing the net aerial primary productivity (NAPP) of two alfalfa varieties (Medical sativa L.) by determining the Radiation Use Efficiency (Ɛ) for each variety, estimating the NAPP though the Red Vegetation Index and relating it to the quantified NAPP. Significant differences between the individual NAPP of each variety were not found: G969 = 1564 g dm m-2 and M901 = 1636 g dm m-2 (T = 0.92; p>0.05). The Ɛ of the G969 was 0.56 g Mj-1 while that of M901 was 0.58 g Mj-1. Significant direct relationships between the quantified NAPP and that calculated using the Red Vegetation Index were found. The models obtained were: NAPPG969 = 506.06x – 343.25 (R2 = 0.88; p

Condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) improve forage digestion and reduce the risk of ruminant bloat caused by grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa). The objectives of this study were to evaluate the forage dry matter yield (DMY) and persistence of newer sainfoin cultivars in mixtures with alfalfa, and to determine the impact of harvest frequency on the persistence of sainfoin. Sainfoin cultivars ‘AAC Mountainview’, ‘AAC Glenview’, ‘Delaney’, ‘Shoshone’, and six experimental populations were compared with ‘Nova’ and ‘Melrose’ at Lanigan, SK, from 2016 to 2018. Field plots were seeded in either monocultures of sainfoin at 33 kg·ha−1 or sainfoin–‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa mixtures at 16:9 kg·ha−1 in alternate rows. Forage DMY was greater (P = 0.001) in mixtures than in sainfoin monocultures in all harvests. The proportion of sainfoin in mixtures at Cut 1 declined from 4.1% to 1.3% of total DMY from 2016 to 2018, and 19.0% to 4.8% in Cut 2, which was less than the recommended level to eliminate ruminant bloat risk. A second field trial was established in 2017 to compare responses of ‘AAC Mountainview’, ‘Nova’, and ‘Shoshone’ sainfoin under one-, two- or three-harvest frequencies in 2018 and 2019. The increase of harvest frequency did not reduce sainfoin stand (%). Stand percentage of ‘AAC Mountainview’ (91%) was greater (P = 0.01) than ‘Nova’ sainfoin (62%). Further agronomic studies focusing on weed control in sainfoin stands and the optimum seeding ratios of sainfoin–alfalfa within the Parkland region of Saskatchewan are needed.

Cool-season forage crops Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) are economically beneficial to producers because biologically fixed nitrogen reduces the expenses. Soil salinization is the consequence of physical factors, population growth, economic pressure for more food production, and climate change impact that can be related to agricultural management practices. In forage crops, salinity and temperature stresses are primarily reducing the yield and limiting successful growth. This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature and salinity in seed germination and determine optimum temperature and salinity for these cool-season forage crops. The results indicated that seed germination occurred over a wide range of salinity (from 0 to 100 mM NaCl) and temperatures (from 15 to 30 °C) with the highest germination between 0 and 25 mM NaCl at 15 to 20 °C. In M. sativa, salinity treatments were not different at 20 °C but the effect of high salinity concentration was more pronounced at low temperatures in T. pratense. For F. arundinacea and P. pratense, the salinity effect was moderate and the main factor for the germination was the temperature. Further, ungerminated seeds were transferred to distilled water after 20 days, and it occurred the highest recovery in 100 mM NaCl at 20 °C but seed recovery was low at 30 °C. The forage crops were able to germinate in moderate salt conditions and germinate as normal when the salinity conditions were removed but under optimum temperatures.

MODELS OF LABORATORY MINI-SILOS TO STUDY THE FERMENTATION OF WILTED ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA) USING A HOMOLACTIC BACTERIAL INOCULANT

The research was carried out to determine the feed quality characteristics of 19 varieties, 18 registered varieties and 1 local variety, under Iğdır ecological conditions in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Experiment were set up with 3 replications according to randomized complete block design in the wet trial field of Igdir University Agricultural Research and Application Center. In this research, crude protein content (CP), acid detergent lignin (ADL), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) rate, acid detergent fiber (ADF) rate, dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter intake (DMI) rate, digestible energy (SE ), metabolic energy (ME) and relative feed value (RFV) of Başbağ, Gea, Elçi, Kayseri, May İside, Magna 601, Savaş, Ezzeline, Magnum V, La Bella, Giulia, Plato, La Torre, Prosementi, Queen, Bilensoy 80, Emiliano, Sunter and Gacer (local variety) alfalfa varieties were determined. According to the three-year average, the CP rates of alfalfa varieties are 16.9% and 22.0%, ADL rates 6.88% and 9.81%, NDF rates 39.4% and 42.9%, ADF rates 28.1% and 31.9%, DMD rates 64.1% and 67.0%, DMI rates 2.82% with 3.06%, DE amounts between 3.01 and 3.14 Mcal kg-1, ME amounts between 2.47 and 2.58 Mcal kg-1 and RFV values between 141.2 and 156.8., Araştırma, tescil edilmiş 18 çeşit ve 1 yerel genotip olmak üzere toplam 19 çeşidin Iğdır ekolojik şartlarında 2017, 2018 ve 2019 yıllarındaki yem kalite özelliklerinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Çalışma Iğdır Üniversitesi Tarımsal Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezine ait sulu deneme sahasında tesadüf blokları deneme desenine göre 3 tekerrürlü olarak kurulmuştur. Bu araştırmada Başbağ, Gea, Elçi, Kayseri, May İside, Magna 601, Savaş, Ezzeline, Magnum V, La Bella, Giulia, Plato, La Torre, Prosementi, Queen, Bilensoy 80, Emiliano, Sunter ve Gacer (yerel genotip) yonca çeşitlerinin ham protein oranı (HP), asit çözücülerde çözünemeyen lignin (ADL), nötr çözücülerde çözünemeyen lif (NDF), asit çözücülerde çözünemeyen lif (ADF), kuru madde sindirilebilirliği (KMS), kuru madde tüketimi (KMT), sindirilebilir enerji (SE), metabolik enerji (ME) ve nispi yem değeri (NYD) belirlenmiştir. Üç yıllık ortalamaya göre yonca çeşitlerinin HP oranları %16.9 ile %22.0, ADL oranları %6.88 ile %9.81, NDF oranları %39.4 ile %42.9, ADF oranları %28.1 ile %31.9, KMS oranları %64.1 ile %67.0, KMT oranları %2.82 ile %3.06, SE miktarları 3.01 ile 3.14 Mcal kg-1, ME miktarları 2.47 ile 2.58 Mcal kg-1 ve NYD değerleri 141.2 ile 156.8 arasında değiştiği belirlenmiştir.

The adults of Sitona humeralis Stephens, 1831 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) cause serious damages by feeding on the leaf and shoot parts of the clover plant (Medicago sativa L.), and the larvae on the capillary root and nodocytes. This article was carried out in the clover fields and laboratory in Igdir province in 2019-2020 in order to determine the morphology and biology of S. humeralis. In the studies, in order to determine the egg stages of S. humeralis, a 1-4 cm deep topsoil containing clover plants in 5 different parts of the field, a soil plant with a depth of 20 cm and a surface area of 20 x 20 cm to determine the larva, pupa and adult stages were taken with the root with a shovel and examined in the laboratory. As a result of the studies, it was determined that S. humeralis overwinters in egg, larva and adult stages. Female insects lay some of their eggs in October and November in the autumn, pause their egg laying with the decrease of the air temperature, and continue to lay eggs until the end of March and early May as the weather gets warmer. The eggs were laid on the soil surface in the root zone of the clover plant. While the larvae emerging from the eggs laid in early October are active in the soil until the beginning of November, they spend the winter without feeding until the end of March to the beginning of April as the weather gets colder, and the larvae that come out of the eggs laid in the late April-early May and enter the pupa stage in the late May-June. Natural deaths start in April-May in adults who spend the winter, a new generation of adults start to emerge from June and the emergence continues until mid-July. From August to mid-October, the new generation adults spend their rest in the soil around the plant roots. In the studies, it was understood that S. humeralis produce a generation a year.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) dominates cropping systems in the Western United States and is first in terms of acreage planted in Arizona. The alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gylenhall) and/or Hypera brunneipennis (Boheman), respectively, is the most destructive pest in terms of yield loss in low desert-grown alfalfa hay. The current economic threshold of 15–20 larvae per sweep, established in California in 1975, is currently not suitable or adopted by growers in the western U.S. low desert. Here, we conducted 4 yr of field trials to re-evaluate this economic threshold. Supporting observations of agricultural growers and professionals in the region, our results indicate that the economic threshold established in 1975 is too high. Specifically, one to three large larvae often cause a significant decrease in yield justifying weevil control based on current hay prices and costs of insecticide application. These results are discussed in the context of sustainable alfalfa production in the western U.S. low desert.

Unlike many crop seeds which are large in size, forage seeds are relatively small. Moreover, some forage seeds from the same genus, or even different genera, share similar morphologies in terms of colour, size, weight and so on. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and burr medic (Medicago polymorpha L.) also share similar morphology. However, alfalfa is a perennial, cross-pollinated herbaceous species, whereas burr medic is considered an annual, self-pollinating plant. Therefore, a universal and rapid method of discriminating burr medic seeds from alfalfa seeds or other similar forage seeds from different plant species is needed. Previous methods of discriminating similar-looking forage seeds have been shown to be unreliable or time consuming. Here, a universal method that combines polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis techniques was developed to discriminate alfalfa and burr medic. Based on the differences in the lengths of homologous genes caused by insertions and deletions between two species, a pair of primers was designed to discriminate the accessions of 15 alfalfa and 9 burr medic via visualizing the clearly different PCR amplicon sizes. In addition, the melting curve analysis was performed to investigate the specificity and reliability of the primer pair. The results showed two different melting peaks between the two species, further demonstrating this method can accurately and sensitively identify the two species. Thus, we believe that this method has the great potential to be extensively applied for the identification of contaminated seeds and breeding of forages.

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.

Biotic and abiotic stresses are severely limiting plant production and productivity. Of notable importance is salt stress that not only limits plant growth and survival, but affects the soil fertility and threatens agricultural ecosystems sustainability. The problem is exacerbated in fragile arid and semi-arid areas where high evaporation, low precipitation and the use of salty water for irrigation is accelerating soil salinization. Legumes, considered very nutritious foods for people and providing essential nutrients for ecosystems are a fundamental element of sustainable agriculture. They can restore soil health by their ability to fix nitrogen in a symbiotic interaction with the rhizobia of the soil. However, salt stress is severely limiting productivity and nitrogen fixation ability in legumes. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and mainly actinobacteria promote plant growth by producing phytohormones, siderophores, antibiotics and antifungal compounds, solubilizing phosphate and providing antagonism to phytopathogenic microorganisms. In addition, actinobacteria have beneficial effects on nodulation and growth of legumes. In this study, actinobacteria isolated from different niches and having PGP activities were used in co-inoculation experiments with rhizobia in Medicago sativa plants rhizosphere submitted to salt stress. The results indicate that drought- and salinity-tolerant Actinobacteria with multiple PGP traits can potentially increase alfalfa growth under saline conditions, in the presence or absence of symbiotic rhizobial bacteria. Actinobacteria discovered in this study can, therefore, be suitable biofertilizers in the formulation of agricultural products improving plant development, health and productivity in saline soils, a necessary alternative for modern agriculture and sustainable development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00284-021-02394-z.

Feed supply in terms of quality and quantity plays an important role in livestock production and productivity. Here we report on varietal differences in yield and nutritional quality among 9 alfalfa accessions over 7 harvests following planting in Ethiopia. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 3 replications at Chano Mille, Southern Ethiopia on a sandy loam soil where mean annual rainfall is 544 mm. Days to harvesting, plant height, dry matter yield, seed yield and the concentrations of the nutritional quality parameters crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose plus in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and relative feed value (RFV) were assessed to rank the accessions. There were significant (P

The adverse effects of exposure to microcystins in terrestrial crops have been well documented. However, the retention and bioavailability of microcystin-LR, one of the most prevalent cyanotoxins, from soil to plants, is poorly understood. In the present study, the amount of free microcystin-LR from two soil types, a silty sand and clayey loam, with exposure to three toxin concentrations and time was investigated. Using the two soil types, the effects on Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) growth after microcystin-LR exposure via irrigation with spiked water and pre-spiked soil was investigated and the amount of microcystin-LR taken up by the plant quantified. After 3 weeks of growth, the amount of free microcystin-LR remaining in the two soil types with each treatment was quantified. The results indicated that in clayey loam more microcystin-LR is bound to the soil. However, the growth of Alfalfa was only affected in the clayey loam with microcystin/LR exposure via irrigation. Nevertheless, microcystin-LR was detected in Alfalfa grown in both soil types exposed by both irrigation and via pre-spiked soil. Interestingly, more microcystin-LR remained in the silty sand after 3 weeks; yet, more microcystin-LR was taken up by the Alfalfa grown in the silty sand, with a larger concentration in the roots compared to the shoots. The results indicate that the soil type substantially influences the bioavailability and uptake of microcystin-LR and present some insight into the ecological risk posed by microcystin-LR.

On the basis of the processed scientific papers, information was summarized regarding the biological characteristics of pollination and the formation of full-fledged seeds of Medicago sativa L. as an important forage entomophilous-cross-pollinated crop. Despite the high potential due to the biological characteristics of alfalfa, it is problematic to obtain a high yield of seeds, depending on the structural features of the flower, pollination, the passage of the embryonic period of ontogenesis and weather conditions during the flowering period. The main reasons that affect the degeneration of seed buds are given. The ways of increasing the seed productivity of alfalfa varieties are proposed, in particular, a preliminary assessment, as well as selection, of the initial breeding material for the elements of seed productivity and the level of manifestation of autogamy

Field experiments were carried out at Mutobus District, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate to evaluate the efficacy of AckocynilR (bromoxynil octanoate 32.75% EC) at 1.00 L. fed-1, Brominal WR (bromoxynil octanoate 24% EC) at 1.00 L. fed-1, DerbyR (florasulam 7.5 %+ flumetsulam 10%) at 30 ml fed.-1, IcopartR (pyraflufen-ethyl 2% SC) at 250 ml fed.-1 and SinalR (metosulam 10% SC) at 40 ml fed.-1 in comparison with handweeding twice (at 21 and 42) days after sowing and untreated check (weed free) during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons on broad-leaved weeds in wheat crop. Anagallis arvensis, Beta vulgaris, Cichorium pumpilum, Medicago sativa, Rumex dentatus and Sanchus oleraceus, were the predominant weed species during the both seasons, except, Anagallis arvensis, which was found in the second season only. All predominant weeds in the experimental field were identified as broadleaved weeds. Among predominant weed species, Beta vulgaris and Medicago sativa were the most predominant during 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons. Results clearly indicated that all herbicidal treatments showed significant herbicidal activity against weeds compared to the control during the two examined seasons. Among the herbicides examined, AckocynilR and Brominal WR were the most options in controlling weeds as well as increasing yield components and grain yield in wheat crop than the other treatments.

Boron (B) fertilization management of alfalfa, as perennial crop, requires to identify its sensitivity to B and its nutrients status after B supply for different forage harvests. The response of al...

Salinity is a spatially complex and dynamic property of soil that adversely impacts plant metabolism and rhizobium capacity for symbiotic nitrogen fixation, thus affecting alfalfa (Medicago sativa)...

In this study the economic performance of different sowing times of alfalfa cultivars were examined. Plots were established in 2015-2017 period, in the area of Siirt University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops,in Turkey. The randomized split block experimental design with three replications was applied in the study. Main plots were consisted from the genotypes and the subplots were consisted from the sowing times. The experimental material comprised of four alfalfa genotypes, three different planting times. The gross margin analysis were used to analyse the data for the study. Gross margin, indicator per unit area was used to evaluate of production success level and compare economic efficiency of different dates of planting for alfalfa genotypes. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test used for data normality test and analysis of variance used to analyze the differences between group means. As a result, maximum gross margin was obtanied at Magnum V planted on 5th April (D2) in 2017, while Nimet planted on 30th April (D3) in 2015 have the minimum gross margin (-13.61).

Plants display an assorted collection of reproductive tactics that eventually play a crucial role in perpetuation of species. Plant reproductive ecology is principally concerned with the adaptive implications of the plant in their vicinity, disparity in qualities allied with pollination, seed dispersal, and seedling establishment. The success in reproduction in most flowering plants depends on ecological interactions with pollinators and seed dispersal agents. Modern tactics in reproductive ecology can integrate proper surveys, advanced pollination studies, interaction between flower and pollinators and clear assessments of population genetic structure, which can provide new opportunities for plant reproductive biology. Alfalfa is an important forage legume and known as “Queen of forages” due to its worldwide adaptability, high yield potential and quality. Alfalfa produces seeds which are primarily used for forage production. It is a gift to livestock industry including dairy, beef, horses, and sheep for grazing, silage, hay etc. Alfalfa is also a medicinal herb with antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties, utilized for treatment of arthritis, kidney problems. The seeds are exploited in alfalfa sprout industry. The current chapter highlights the reproductive biology of alfalfa from flower development to seed production and its advances.

BACKGROUND Understanding the spatio‐temporal dynamics of prey and predator distributions can provide valuable insights into pest management strategies and conservation of natural enemies in agro‐ecosystems. The alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), is an economically important pest of alfalfa throughout the western United States. Coccinellids and nabids are among the most important natural enemies of this species, contributing to the biological control of H. postica in alfalfa fields. The spatio‐temporal dynamics of H. postica and these two predator groups were investigated using 81 (= 9 × 9 grid) sample points in each of five alfalfa fields in north‐central Montana. The data were analyzed using variogram and spatial analysis by distance indices (SADIE). RESULTS Variogram analysis revealed the spatial dependence (aggregation) of H. postica in 17 of 19 sampling times for larvae, and three of 12 sampling times for adults. Using SADIE, statistically significant aggregation distribution was evident in four of 19 sampling times for larvae, and five of 12 sampling times for adults of H. postica. Combined variogram and SADIE showed strong evidence of spatial aggregation of H. postica larval population (~95%) while a moderate level of aggregation in the adult population (~67%) of the sampling times analyzed. The average aggregation distances based on the range value of the variogram were 22.3 m and 14.7 m for larvae and adults, respectively. Based on variogram results, populations of natural enemies, coccinellids and Nabis spp. were found spatially aggregated in 57.9% and 5.6% of the sampling times, respectively. SADIE further supported the variogram results as coccinellid populations (52.6% of sampling times) were highly aggregated in contrast with the Nabis spp. populations (5.6% of sampling times) in alfalfa fields. There was no evidence of significant spatial synchrony between H. postica and its predators, coccinellids and Nabis spp. CONCLUSION Our study was able to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of H. postica and its two natural enemies (coccinellids and nabids) in irrigated alfalfa fields. The possible implications of these findings for integrated pest management (IPM) of alfalfa weevil populations are discussed., This study determined the spatial and temporal distribution of Hypera postica and the population of its two natural enemies (coccinellids and nabids) in irrigated alfalfa fields.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely grown forage legume crop worldwide. Yield and plant height are important agronomic traits influenced by genetic and environmental factors. The objective of this study was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) and molecular markers associated with alfalfa yield and plant height. To understand the genetic basis of these traits, a full-sib F1 population composed of 392 individuals was developed by crossing a low-yielding precocious alfalfa genotype (male parent) with a high-yielding late-maturing alfalfa cultivar (female parent). The linkage maps were constructed with 3818 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers on 64 linkage groups. QTL for yield and plant height were mapped using phenotypic data for three years. Sixteen QTL associated with yield and plant height were identified on chromosomes 1 to 8. Six QTL explained more than 10% of phenotypic variation, representing major loci controlling yield and plant height. One locus on chromosome 1 controlling yield traits had not been identified in previous studies. Three QTL co-located with other QTL (qyield-1 and qheight-7, qheight-5 and qyield-4, qheight-6, and qyield-6). With further validation, the markers closely linked with these QTL may be used for marker-assisted selection in breeding new alfalfa varieties with high yield.

This study investigated the role of three rangeland species viz. Agropyron trichophorum, Medicago sativa, and Lolium prenne on mitigating of effects of a freeze-thaw (FT) cycle on runoff generation and soil loss from small experimental plots. Small plots (0.5 × 0.5m) were prepared in three replicates for control (i.e., under a FT cycle only) and treatments (i.e., individually planted with the study species and subject to a FT cycle). The treated plots were then placed at a slope of 20% and subjected to simulated rainfall with intensity of 70 mm h−1 and 30 min duration. The results of the study showed a significant effect (P

This research was carried out to determine the effects of different phosphorus and zeolite doses on dry matter yield and some properties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in irrigated conditions. The experiment was established in a randomized complete blocks design with three replications according to the factorial arrangement. Four phosphorus (0, 5, 10 and 15 kg P2O5 da-1) and 4 zeolite doses (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg da-1) were applied in combination. Field study was established in 2012 and the data received in 2013 and 2014 were evaluated. In the study, plant height, dry matter yield, plant density and crude protein, ADF and NDF ratios of the hay were investigated. Dry matter yield and plant density have increased significantly with phosphorus fertilizer and zeolite applications. Hay quality parameters (crude protein, ADF and NDF ratios) were not affected by the applications. Under current conditions, it is recommended to apply 10 kg P2O5 and 150 kg zeolite per decare to obtain high dry matter yield from alfalfa and keep the plant density high., Bu araştırma, farklı fosforlu gübre ve zeolit dozlarının sulu şartlarda yonca (Medicago sativa L.)’nın kuru madde verimi ve bazı özellikleri üzerindeki etkilerini belirlemek için yürütülmüştür. Araştırma şansa bağlı tam bloklar deneme deseninde faktöriyel düzenlemeye göre 3 tekrarlamalı olarak kurulmuştur. Dört fosfor (0, 5, 10 ve 15 kg P2O5 da-1) ve 4 zeolit dozu (0, 50, 100 ve 150 kg da-1) kombinasyon halinde uygulanmıştır. Tarla çalışması 2012 yılında kurulmuş, 2013 ve 2014 yıllarında alınan veriler değerlendirilmiştir. Araştırmada bitki boyu, kuru madde verimi, tesis sıklığı ve otun ham protein, ADF ve NDF oranları incelenmiştir. Fosforlu gübre ve zeolit uygulamaları ile kuru madde verimi ve bitki sıklığı önemli ölçüde artmıştır. Ot kalite parametreleri (ham protein, ADF ve NDF oranları) ise yapılan uygulamalardan etkilenmemiştir. Mevcut koşullar altında yoncadan yüksek kuru madde verimi elde etmek ve tesisin seyrelmesini yavaşlatmak için dekara 10 kg P2O5 ile 150 kg zeolit uygulaması önerilebilir.

Seven artificial alfalfa grasslands (aged 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 a) and an abandoned land plot were selected to examine the changes in soil organic carbon content, active organic carbon content, soil organic carbon storage and active organic carbon storage in the 0–200 cm soil layer and their correlation with soil nutrients, soil water content, soil bulk density, alfalfa cover, density, height and aboveground biomass. The results show that the soil organic carbon content was between 2.02 and 4.54 g kg–1 within depths of 0–200 cm, which was higher than that in the abandoned land. The soil organic carbon storage in the 0–40 cm layers accounted for, on average, 29.50 ± 7.13% of the total storage in the 0–200 cm soil layers in the 7-year-old alfalfa grasslands and the abandoned land, and the 0–40 cm layer was the main layer of soil organic carbon storage. The soil organic carbon storage in 12 a grassland was the highest, and the abandoned land had the smallest reserve, with values of 10.22 and 5.06 kg m–2, respectively. In addition, carbon storage was, on average, 1.84 kg m–2 higher in 7-year alfalfa artificial grassland than in abandoned farmland. The proportion of soil AOC storage to SOC storage ranged from 30.24 to 58.11%; the proportion in 5-year grassland was the lowest, while it was the highest in the abandoned land. SOC storage had significant positive correlations with TN and soil active organic carbon storage, and it had negative correlations with soil bulk density at the 0.01 level (p < 0.01).

Alfalfa is an important economic crop; a mutant (M) strain was identified during planting and production. M plants consistently had better relative water content and relative electrical conductivity under higher salt conditions compared with the wild type (WT) plants, suggesting that M plants have higher tolerance for salt. To understand the microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in salt stress response in alfalfa, 128 miRNAs were identified from the WT and M alfalfa plants under normal and saline conditions. Of the 128 miRNAs, 29 and 23 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in the M vs. WT control (M-CK vs. WT-CK) and salt-stressed M vs. WT (M-salt vs. WT-salt) comparison, respectively. These miRNAs responded to salt stress and showed different expression patterns after salt treatment. Their potential target genes were predicted and further analysed by GO classification and KEGG pathway analysis, where the majority of target genes were associated with plant growth and development, and exhibited significant changes in WT and M plants. In addition, compared with the WT plants, miR172-CNGC, miR319-CAX2, miR408-NHX and miR2590-CHX14/15 showed significant upregulation in M alfalfa plants, suggesting that M plants have higher ion transport levels. The differential expression profiles of miRNAs and putative target genes were further validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. It is speculated that these miRNAs are involved in the increased salt tolerance of the M alfalfa plants.

Alfalfa is the major fodder crop of Sultanate Oman, but salinity is a major problem in its cultivation. Therefore, thirty-four alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) landraces of Oman were evaluated for morphology and forage yield response to different salinity levels viz. 1 (control), 3, 6, 9, and 12 dS m(−1) under greenhouse conditions. The experiment was conducted under a completely randomized design. Different alfalfa landraces responded differently to the five salinity levels for plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, leaflet width, leaflet length, forage fresh weight, and forage dry matter yield. Salt stress caused a reduction in growth and dry matter yield of alfalfa landraces with exception of some, which responded positively to the salinity levels of 3 and 6 dS m(−1) compared to control for the number of leaves per plant. Moreover, some landraces had better forage fresh weight and dry matter yield at 6 dS m(−1) than 3 dS m(−1). Alfalfa landraces OMA 257, OMA, 245, OMA 270, OMA 315, OMA 211, OMA 117, OMA 56, OMA 239, OMA 148, OMA 131, OMA 95, OMA 263, OMA 262, OMA 289 and OMA 220 were designated as salt tolerant based on their overall performance across salinity levels of 6, 9 and 12 dS m(−1). However, the landraces OMA 305, OMA 100, OMA 211, OMA 148, OMA 60, OMA 248, OMA 9, OMA 88, and OMA 302 collected were sensitive to 6, 9 and 12 dS m(−1) salinity stress. The study showed the variation of alfalfa landraces potential for salinity tolerance, and their potential for cultivation in saline areas and/or use in breeding programs aimed to develop salt tolerant alfalfa genotypes. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1007/s12298-020-00856-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

This study was conducted to determine and compare herbage yield and quality traits of different alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars under provincial conditions of Kayseri, Turkey. For this purpose, 16 different alfalfa cultivars (Verdor, Özpinar, Verko, Sünter, Kayseri, Savaş, Gea, Ömerbey, Magna-601, Alsancak, Başbağ, Nimet, Bilensoy, Magnum-5, Elçi and Gözlü) were used as the plant material. Experiments were conducted in randomized blocks design with three replications in Kayseri province during the growing seasons of 2014-2015. Significant differences were observed in herbage yields and quality traits of alfalfa cultivars (p≤0.01). Current findings revealed that plant heights varied between 55.75 - 84.83 cm, green herbage yields between 5125.80 - 7388.96 kg/da, dry herbage yields between 1349.30 - 1878.86kg/da, crude protein yields between 243.04 - 283.44 kg/da, crude protein ratios between 16.57 - 20.28%, crude ash ratios between 9.41 - 10.52%, acid detergent fiber (ADF) ratios between 34.57 - 42.27% and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratios between 46.89 - 55.21%. Gea and Alsancak alfalfa cultivars were found to be prominent for green herbage, dry herbage and crude protein yields, thus these cultivars were recommended for Kayseri province and similar ecologies.

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) is the causal agent of grapevine red blotch disease, which affects wine grapes and leads to reduced crop yield and quality. While some virus spread can be attributed to the propagation of infected plant material, a greenhouse assay recently demonstrated that the threecornered alfalfa hopper (Membracidae: Spissistilus festinus Say) can transmit GRBV between grapevines. While S. festinus is not considered an economic pest of wine grapes, this species is present in California vineyards and their feeding can cause petiole girdling. Recent surveys have noted a correlation between S. festinus populations and GRBV-positive vines in vineyard areas adjacent to riparian habitat. Here, S. festinus populations were monitored over a 2-yr period at multiple vineyard sites adjacent to riparian habitats. At each site, insects were sampled from ground covers and the vine canopy at the vineyard edge and interior, and vines in both locations were evaluated for petiole girdling. Results indicate that there was no difference in abundance of S. festinus at the vineyard edge and interior. Populations in the vine canopy were highest in the late spring and early summer, and this was followed by the appearance of petiole girdling, indicating a key period of potential GRBV transmission. Furthermore, activity in the vine canopy appears to be amplified when the quality of ground covers is reduced as the season progresses. That said, overall populations of S. festinus were relatively low and additional work is needed to characterize the timing and efficiency of transmission under field conditions.

Anthropic activities and agricultural practices have increased the rate of pollutants in ecosystems. Consequently, this can alter soil chemical properties, biological functioning, and fertility. Ou...

Fulvic acid treatment increases yield and nodulation in Medicago sativa, in glasshouse and field experiments. De novo transcriptome analysis shows the up-regulation of early nodulation genes in response to fulvic acid., The use of potential biostimulants is of broad interest in plant science for improving yields. The application of a humic derivative called fulvic acid (FA) may improve forage crop production. FA is an uncharacterized mixture of chemicals and, although it has been reported to increase growth parameters in many species including legumes, its mode of action remains unclear. Previous studies of the action of FA have lacked appropriate controls, and few have included field trials. Here we report yield increases due to FA application in three European Medicago sativa cultivars, in studies which include the appropriate nutritional controls which hitherto have not been used. No significant growth stimulation was seen after FA treatment in grass species in this study at the treatment rate tested. Direct application to bacteria increased Rhizobium growth and, in M. sativa trials, root nodulation was stimulated. RNA transcriptional analysis of FA-treated plants revealed up-regulation of many important early nodulation signalling genes after only 3 d. Experiments in plate, glasshouse, and field environments showed yield increases, providing substantial evidence for the use of FA to benefit M. sativa forage production.

The objective of this research is to find out suitable row ratio of oat and lucerne under intercropping system with respect to quality and yield. A field experiment was conducted during rabi 2018-19 at the Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. The soil of experimental site was loamy sand in texture having good drainage and moisture retention capacity. Six different combinations of row ratio along with sole cropping of oat and lucerne were tested to fulfill the objective of this study. The treatments were allotted in randomized block design with four replications. All the yield (GFY, DMY, CPY) and quality (Crude protein, ADF, NDF, CF) parameters were recorded significantly superior under the planting ratio 2:1 (oat + lucerne) in intercropping. However in case of yield attributes, sole cropping of oat and lucerne were found comparative to row ratio 2:1 (oat + lucerne).

Gramineae and Leguminosae forages are widely grown in the semiarid region of northwest China. To understand the changes in root morphology in forage seedlings under drought stress, a nursery experiment was conducted with and without water stress using four Gramineae species (Bromus inermis, Agropyron mongolicum, Lolium perenne, and Bothriochloa ischaemum) and four Leguminosae species (Lespedeza bicolor, Medicago sativa, Astragalus adsurgens and Melilotus suaveolens). The forages were grown in rhizoboxes under drought stress (15% polyethylene glycol stress) and well‐watered (85% of field capacity) conditions. The results showed that the root length, root area, and specific root length of the Gramineae species were higher than those of the Leguminosae species at the 30–60 cm soil depth. The fine roots of eight species in the 0~0.5 mm diameter class had the largest total root length and total root area, and the total root volume and root tips in the 0.5~1.0 mm diameter class were the highest. Based on the subordinate function method results, B. inermis had the highest comprehensive score, while M. suaveolens had the lowest. Our results implied that Gramineae seedlings distributed more roots than Leguminosae seedlings in the 30–60 cm soil layer under drought stress. Under drought stress, fine roots in the 0~0.5 mm and 0.5~1.0 mm diameter classes were the main organs sustaining the growth of the eight species when suffered drought stress. Among the eight species, B. inermis had the strongest drought tolerance and could act as an optimal ecological restoration forage in the semiarid region of northwest China.

Soil structural, carbon (C), and nitrogen (N) properties could be influenced by land-use change. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the conversion from vegetable (Brassica pekinensis) planting for 7 years (2007–2014) to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) planting with 5 nitrogen levels (N0~N4) for 3 years (2015–2017) on soil structural, C, and N properties. After vegetable cultivation, soil structural, C, and N properties declined significantly. However, after alfalfa planting, especially in 2017, the lowest values of bulk density (N1 = 1.32 g m−3, N2 = 1.33 g m−3) and the highest values of macroaggregate proportion (N1 = 78.17%, N2 = 77.33%) were obtained. The highest values of SOC (N1 = 11.11 g kg−1, N2 = 11.08 g kg−1), SMBC (N1 = 390.97 mg kg−1), and sucrase (N1 = 17.47 mg g−1 d−1) were appeared. The maximum values of available nitrogen (N1 = 57.83 mg kg−1, N2 = 59.82 mg kg−1), SMBN (N1 = 56.01 mg kg−1, N2 = 58.14 mg kg−1), and urease (N2 = 2.71 mg g−1 d−1) were obtained. Taken together, our findings suggest that the conversion of vegetable land to alfalfa land with low N level could significantly improve soil structural, C, and N properties.

Plant growth is often limited by low soil phosphorus (P) availability, soil nitrogen (N) availability may affect plants’ responses to P supply. We studied the growth and physiological responses of alfalfa to soil P supply at different N levels. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants were grown in an alkaline soil supplied with different levels of P (0, 5, and 20 mg kg−1) as monopotassium phosphate, and N (50 and 100 mg kg−1) as ammonium nitrate. Plant biomass and P concentrations always showed positive responses to P addition but not to N addition, nodulation was inhibited by lower P supply and higher N supply. Roots released more phosphatase and carboxylates, mainly tartrate, into the rhizosheath at lower soil P supply and higher N supply. Roots always acidified the rhizosheath, but rhizosheath pH did not vary considerably among treatments. This study demonstrates the release of tartrate as a major carboxylate as affected by soil P supply and N supply, and highlights the importance of investigating plant adaptive strategies for P acquisition from soil with different N availability for proper application of P and N fertilizers.