Production and utilization of alfalfa

Multiple adaptive responses of Australian native perennial legumes with pasture potential to grow in phosphorus- and moisture-limited environments

“…However, neither Cullen species nor M. sativa increased their RMR with a decrease of soil [P] or moisture and Cullen species had a lower RMR than M. sativa, irrespective of moisture and P treatments. Medicago sativa has long been grown in fertile and moist environments (Griffiths, 1949;Small, 2009) and M. sativa roots were not expected to exhibit the same plastic responses to low soil [P] and drought as Cullen species. Similar patterns of RMR values as observed here have been found for Australian Kennedia species (Fabaceae) and Ptilotus polystachyus (Amaranthaceae) when they were compared with exotics M. sativa and Cichorium intybus, respectively (Denton et al, 2006;Ryan et al, 2009).…”

“…The more rapid decrease in A of M. sativa than in the Cullen species after imposing the drought might be due to several reasons. (a) Medicago sativa has long been grown in fertile and moist environments in Asia (Griffiths, 1949;Small, 2009) and may not be be well adapted to areas with low summer rainfall (Cocks, 2001;Dear et al, 2007). Conversely, many Australian perennial legumes have evolved in P-impoverished landscapes (Handreck, 1997) and are expected to resist drought better than M. sativa.…”

The profile of tropical alfalfa in Indonesia: A review

“…Alfalfa has a high nutrient content that includes Ca, chlorophyll, carotene, and vitamin K ( Griffiths, 1949 , Suwignyo et al, 2020b ), and contains several bioactive materials such as saponins, sterols, flavonoids, cumarins, alkaloids, vitamins, amino acids, sugars, proteins, and minerals. Additionally, alfalfa contains large quantities of dietary fiber, which could help to lower cholesterol levels.…”

Above- and below-ground interactions of grass and pasture legume species when grown together under drought and low phosphorus availability

“…These results highlight the importance of investigating these species for their potential to be used in phytoremediation and the quality of the pasture produced under the availability of low-P and drought conditions. Growth of C. australasicum and M. sativa M. sativa has long been grown in fertile and moist environments in Asia (Griffiths 1949;Small 2009) and is not well adapted to areas with low summer rainfall (Cocks 2001;Dear et al 2007). Conversely, many native Australian perennial legumes have evolved in dry P-impoverished landscapes (Beadle 1966;Handreck 1997) and are expected to resist drought better than M. sativa.…”