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| − | {{two other uses||the [[Our Gang]] ([[Little Rascals]]) character|Carl Switzer|the County in Oklahoma|Alfalfa County, Oklahoma}} | + | __NOTOC__{{Plantbox |
| − | {{Taxobox
| + | | name = ''Medicago sativa'' |
| − | | color = lightgreen | + | | common_names = Alfalfa, Lucerne, Purple Medic, Trefoil |
| − | | name = Alfalfa | + | | growth_habit = ? <!--- tree, shrub, herbaceous, vine, etc --> |
| | + | | high = ? <!--- 1m (3 ft) --> |
| | + | | wide = <!--- 65cm (25 inches) --> |
| | + | | origin = ? <!--- Mexico, S America, S Europe, garden, etc --> |
| | + | | poisonous = <!--- indicate parts of plants which are known/thought to be poisonous --> |
| | + | | lifespan = perennial |
| | + | | exposure = ? <!--- full sun, part-sun, semi-shade, shade, indoors, bright filtered (you may list more than 1) --> |
| | + | | water = ? <!--- frequent, regular, moderate, drought tolerant, let dry then soak --> |
| | + | | features = <!--- flowers, fragrance, fruit, naturalizes, invasive --> |
| | + | | hardiness = <!--- frost sensitive, hardy, 5°C (40°F), etc --> |
| | + | | bloom = <!--- seasons which the plant blooms, if it is grown for its flowers --> |
| | + | | usda_zones = ? <!--- eg. 8-11 --> |
| | + | | sunset_zones = <!--- eg. 8, 9, 12-24, not available --> |
| | + | | color = IndianRed |
| | | image = Lucerne flowers.jpg | | | image = Lucerne flowers.jpg |
| − | | image_width = 240px | + | | image_width = 240px <!--- leave as 240px if horizontal orientation photo, or change to 180px if vertical --> |
| − | | image_caption = ''Medicago sativa'' | + | | image_caption = Medicago sativa |
| − | | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | + | | regnum = Plantae |
| − | | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | + | | divisio = Magnoliophyta |
| − | | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | + | | classis = Magnoliopsida |
| − | | ordo = [[Fabales]] | + | | ordo = Fabales |
| − | | familia = [[Fabaceae]] | + | | familia = Fabaceae |
| − | | subfamilia = [[Faboideae]]
| + | | tribus = Trifolieae |
| − | | tribus = [[Trifolieae]] | + | | genus = Medicago |
| − | | genus = ''[[Medicago]]'' | + | | species = sativa |
| − | | species = '''''M. sativa''''' | + | }} |
| − | | binomial = ''Medicago sativa'' | + | {{Inc| |
| − | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]
| + | Alfalfa, lucerne (Medicago sativa, Linn.). A deep-rooted perennial forage plant of the Leguminosae;. The plant grows one to four feet high, bears pinnate leaves with three ovate-oblong toothed leaflets, and small head-like racemes of purple clover-shaped flowers. It is native to Europe. In the arid parts of the United States it is the staple hay and forage plant, and it is also grown to a considerable extent in the East. Two to six mowings may be made, each year from established meadows. Fifteen to thirty pounds of seed are sown to the acre; and the seed is preferably sown alone, without another crop. Alfalfa should not be pastured the first year. In two or three years it becomes thoroughly established and productive, and it should continue for many years. June-grass often runs it out in a cool, moist climate. Alfalfa often becomes a weed in waste places. |
| − | | subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
| + | {{SCH}} |
| − | | subdivision =
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| − | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''ambigua''<br/>
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| − | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''microcarpa''<br/>
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| − | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''sativa''<br/>
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| − | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''varia''<br/>
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| − | Ref: [http://www.ildis.org/LegumeWeb ILDIS] as of November 2005
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| | }} | | }} |
| − | '''Alfalfa''' (''Medicago sativa''), also known as '''Lucerne''', '''Purple Medic''' and '''Trefoil''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: البرسيم الحجازي), is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[flowering plant]] cultivated as an important forage crop.
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| − | Alfalfa is one of the most important [[legumes]] used in agriculture. The US is the largest alfalfa producer in the world. The leading alfalfa growing states (within the [[United_States|U.S.A.]]) are [[California]], [[South Dakota]], and [[Wisconsin]]. The upper Midwestern states account for about 50% of US production, the North eastern states 10%, and western states 40% of US production, the latter mostly under [[irrigation]]. Alfalfa is not very important in the Southeastern states. However, alfalfa has a wide range of adaptation and can be grown from very cold northern plains to high mountain valleys, from rich temperate agricultural regions to Mediterranean climates and searing hot deserts.
| + | ==Cultivation== |
| | + | {{edit-cult}}<!--- Type cultivation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | Alfalfa lives from three to twelve years, depending on variety and [[climate]]. It is a cool season perennial [[legume]], growing to a height of 1 meter. It resembles [[clover]] with clusters of small purple [[flower]]s. It also has a deep [[root]] system sometimes stretching to 4.5 metres. This makes it very resilient, especially to droughts. It has a [[tetraploid]] [[genome]].
| + | ===Propagation=== |
| | + | {{edit-prop}}<!--- Type propagation info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | Alfalfa is native to [[Iran]], where it was probably [[domesticated]] during the [[Bronze Age]] to feed horses being brought from [[Central Asia]]. It came to [[Greece]] around 490 B.C. being used as a horse feed for Persian army. It was introduced from [[Chile]] to the [[United States]] around 1860. It is widely grown throughout the world as forage for [[cattle]], and is most often harvested as [[hay]]. Alfalfa has the highest feeding value of all common hay crops, being used less frequently as [[pasture]]. Like other legumes, its root nodules contain bacteria, like ''[[rhizobia|Rhizobium]]'', with the ability to [[nitrogen cycle|fix nitrogen]], producing a high-protein feed regardless of available nitrogen in the [[soil]].
| + | ===Pests and diseases=== |
| | + | {{edit-pests}}<!--- Type pest/disease info below this line, then delete this entire line --> |
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| − | Its wide cultivation beginning in the seventeenth century was an important advance in European agriculture. Its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and use as animal feed greatly improved agricultural efficiency. When grown on soils where it is well-adapted, alfalfa is the highest yielding forage plant.
| + | ==Species== |
| − | | + | Subspecies{{wp}}:<br> |
| − | Alfalfa is a plant that exhibits [[autotoxicity]], which means that it is difficult for alfalfa seed to grow in existing stands of alfalfa. Therefore, it is recommended that alfalfa fields be cleared or [[crop rotation|rotated]] before reseeding.
| + | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''ambigua''<br/> |
| − | | + | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''microcarpa''<br/> |
| − | Its primary use is for dairy production, followed by beef, sheep, horses and goats, but it is sometimes used for human consumption. Alfalfa [[sprouting|sprouts]] are used as a salad ingredient in the [[United States]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]. Tender [[shoot]]s are eaten in some places as a [[leaf vegetable]]. Human consumption of older plant parts is limited primarily by very high fiber content. Dehydrated alfalfa leaf is commercially available as a [[dietary supplement]] in several forms, such as tablets, powders and tea. Alfalfa is believed to be a [[galactagogue]].
| + | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''sativa''<br/> |
| | + | ''M. sativa'' subsp. ''varia''<br/> |
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| − | == Culture == | + | ==Gallery== |
| − | Alfalfa can be sown in spring or fall, and does best on well-drained soils with a neutral [[pH]] of 6.8 – 7.5. Alfalfa requires a great deal of [[potash]]. Soils low in fertility should be fertilized with [[manure]] or a chemical fertilizer, but correction of pH is particularly important. Usually a seeding rate of 13 – 20 kg/hectare (12 – 25 lb/acre) in climatic acceptable regions and a rate of 22 kg/hectare (20 lb/acre) in southern regions is used. A [[nurse crop]] is often used, particularly for spring plantings, to reduce weed problems. [[Herbicide]]s are sometimes used instead. A [[genetically modified]] variety which is tolerant to the herbicide [[Roundup]] has been developed and is currently sold in the United States pending deregulation.
| + | <gallery> |
| | + | Image:Upload.png| photo 1 |
| | + | Image:Alfalfa_square_bales.jpg|thumbnail|240px|right|Small square bales of alfalfa |
| | + | Image:Alfalfa_round_bales.jpg|thumbnail|240px|right|Cylindrical bales of alfalfa |
| | + | Image:Megachile 1084.JPG|thumbnail|240px|right|[[Alfalfa leafcutter bee]], ''Megachile rotundata'', a [[pollinator]] on alfalfa flower |
| | + | </gallery> |
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| − | In most climates, alfalfa is cut three to four times a year but is harvested up to 12 times per year in Arizona and Southern California. Total yields are typically around 8 tonne/hectare (4 ton/acre) but yields have been recorded up to 20 tonnes/ha (16 ton/acre). Yields vary due to region and with weather, and with stage of maturity when cut. Later cuttings improve yield but reduce nutritional content.
| + | ==References== |
| − | | + | *[[Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture]], by L. H. Bailey, MacMillan Co., 1963 |
| − | [[Image:Megachile 1084.JPG|thumbnail|240px|right|[[Alfalfa leafcutter bee]], ''Megachile rotundata'', a [[pollinator]] on alfalfa flower]]
| + | <!--- xxxxx *Flora: The Gardener's Bible, by Sean Hogan. Global Book Publishing, 2003. ISBN 0881925381 --> |
| − | | + | <!--- xxxxx *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432 --> |
| − | Alfalfa is considered an 'insectary' due to the large number of insects which are found there. Some pests such as Alfalfa weevil, aphids, and the potato [[leafhopper]] can reduce alfalfa yields dramatically, particularly with the second cutting when weather is warmest. Chemical controls are sometimes used to prevent this. Alfalfa is also susceptible to root rots including phytophora, rhizoctonia, and [[Texas Root Rot]].
| + | <!--- xxxxx *Sunset National Garden Book. Sunset Books, Inc., 1997. ISBN 0376038608 --> |
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| − | Alfalfa seed production requires [[pollinator]]s to be present in the fields when in bloom. Alfalfa [[pollination]] is somewhat problematic because the [[keel (disambiguation)|keel]] of the [[flower]] trips to help [[pollen]] transfer to the foraging [[bee]], striking them in the head. [[Western honey bee]]s do not like being struck in the head repeatedly, and often learn to defeat this action by drawing [[nectar (plant)|nectar]] from the side of the flower, thus pollination is not accomplished.<ref name=scinews>{{cite journal | first = Susan | last = Milius | year = [[2007]] | month = [[January 6]] | title = Most Bees Live Alone: No hives, no honey, but maybe help for crops | journal = [[Science News]] | volume = 171 | issue = 1 | pages = 11-3 | accessdate = 2007-01-15}}</ref> The majority of the pollination is accomplished by young bees that have not yet learned the trick of robbing the flower without tripping it. When honey bees are used for pollination, the beehives are [[Saturation pollination|stocked at a very high rate]] to maximize the number of young bees.
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| − | Today the [[alfalfa leafcutter bee]] is increasingly used to circumvent this problem. As a solitary but gregarious bee species, it does not build colonies or store honey, but is a very efficient pollinator of alfalfa seed. Nesting is in individual tunnels in wooden or plastic material, supplied by the alfalfa seed growers.<ref name=scinews/>
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| − | A smaller amount of alfalfa seed is pollinated by the [[alkali bee]], mostly in the northwestern USA. It is cultured in special beds near the seed fields. These bees also have their own problems. They are not portable like honey bees; they take several seasons to build up, when fields are planted in new areas.<ref name=scinews/> Honey bees are still trucked to many of the fields at bloom time.
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| − | {{Main|List of alfalfa diseases}}
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| − | == Harvesting ==
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| − | [[Image:Alfalfa_round_bales.jpg|thumbnail|240px|right|Cylindrical bales of alfalfa]]
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| − | When alfalfa is to be used as [[hay]], it is usually cut and [[bale]]d. Loose haystacks are still used in some areas, but bales are much easier to transport and are easier to keep hold of when being stored. Ideally, the hay is cut just as the field is beginning to flower. When using farm equipment rather than hand-harvesting, the process begins with a [[swather]], which cuts the alfalfa and arranges it in [[windrow]]s. In areas where drying down of the alfalfa is problematic and slow, a machine know as mower-conditioner is used to cut the hay. The mower-conditioner has either a set of rollers or flails through which the hay passes after being cut which crimps or breaks the stems in order to facilitate faster dry down of the hay. After it has dried, a [[tractor]] pulling a [[baler]] collects the hay into bales. There are three types of bales commonly used for alfalfa. Small "square" bales — actually rectangular, and typically about 40 x 45 x 100 cm (14 in x 18 in x 38 in) — are used for small animals and individual horses. The small square bales weigh between 25 – 30 kg (50 – 70 pounds) depending on moisture, and can easily be hand separated into "flakes".
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| − | Cattle ranches use large round bales, typically 1.4 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 feet) in diameter and weighing up to 500 – 1,000 kg. These bales can be placed in stable stacks, placed in large feeders for herds of [[horse]]s, and unrolled on the ground for large herds of [[cattle]]. The bales can be loaded and stacked with a [[tractor]] using a spike, known as a bale spear, that pierces the center of the bale, or with a grapple (claw) on the [[tractor]]'s front-end loader.
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| − | A more recent innovation is large "square" bales, roughly the same proportions as the small squares, but much larger. The bale size was set so that stacks would fit perfectly on a large flatbed truck.
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| − | When used as feed for dairy cattle it is often made into [[haylage]] by a process known as [[ensilage|ensiling]]. Rather than drying it down to the level of dry hay it is chopped finely and put into [[silos]], trenches, or bags, where the oxygen supply can be limited allowing it to [[fermentation (food)|ferment]]. This allows it to remain in a state in which the nutrient levels are closer to that of fresh forage, and is more palatable in the high performance diet of dairy cattle.
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| − | == Varieties ==
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| − | [[Image:Alfalfa_square_bales.jpg|thumbnail|240px|right|Small square bales of alfalfa]]
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| − | Considerable research and development has been done with this important plant. Older [[cultivars]] such as 'Vernal' have been the standard for years, but many better public and private varieties are available now, and are adapted to the needs of particular climates. Private companies release many new varieties each year in the US.
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| − | Fall Dormancy is a major characteristic of alfalfa varieties. More 'dormant' varieties have reduced growth in the fall, a response due to low temperatures and reduced day lengths. 'Non-dormant' varieties exhibit winter growth activity, and therefore are grown in long-seasoned environments such as Mexico, Arizona, and Southern California, whereas 'dormant' lines are grown in the Upper Midwest, Canada, and the Northeast. 'Non-dormant' lines are susceptible to winter-kill in cold climates, and have poorer persistence, but can be higher yielding.
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| − | Most alfalfa cultivars contain genetic material from [[Sickle Medick]] (''M. falcata''), a wild variety of alfalfa which naturally hybridizes with ''M. sativa'' to produce '''Sand Lucerne''' (''M. sativa'' ssp. ''varia''). This species may bear either the purple flowers of alfalfa or the yellow of sickle medick, and is so called for its ready growth in sandy soil.
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| − | Most of the improvements in alfalfa over the last decades have been in disease resistance, improved ability to overwinter in cold climates, and multileaf traits. Disease resistance is important because it improves the usefulness of alfalfa on poorly drained soils, and during wet years.
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| − | Multileaf alfalfa has more than three leaflets per leaf. These lines may have a higher nutritional content by weight because there is relatively more leafy matter for the same amount of stem.
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| − | Modern alfalfa varieties have probably a wider range of insect, disease, and nematode resistance than many other agricultural species. The [[North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference]] records new varieties and encourages communication between breeders.
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| − | ==References ==
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| − | <div class="references-small">
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| − | * [http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/Gbase/DATA/Pf000346.htm Grassland Species profile]
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| − | <references/>
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| − | </div>
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| − | * In ''[[Of Mice and Men]]'', the popular [[novella]] authored by [[John Steinbeck]], Lenny becomes increasingly obsessed with growing Alfalfa for his rabbits for if he ever gets a farm with George.
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| | ==External links== | | ==External links== |
| − | {{wiktionary}} | + | *{{wplink}} |
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| − | {{commons|Medicago sativa}}
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| − | {{wikispecies|Medicago sativa}}
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| − | * [http://www.ellendick.com/wildbees/ Photos of moving honeybees to alfalfa]
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| − | * [http://www.pollination.com/publications/IPSpub01.cfm Use of the Alfalfa Leafcutter Bee Growing in California]
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| − | * [http://www.foragegenetics.com/biotechnology.asp Roundup Ready™ Alfalfa]
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| − | * [http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/pubs/Alfalfa_WORC_Factsheet.pdf Problems with genetically modified Alfalfa ]
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| − | * [http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/ University of Wisconsin Forage Research and Extension]
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| − | * [http://alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/ University of California Alfalfa Workgroup]
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| − | * [http://www.foodsdatabase.com/LinkedLabel.aspx?FoodId=20207 Nutrition facts]
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| | + | {{stub}} |
| | + | [[Category:Categorize]] |
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| − | [[Category:Faboideae]]
| + | <!-- in order to add all the proper categories, go to http://www.plants.am/wiki/Plant_Categories and copy/paste the contents of the page here, and then follow the easy instructions! --> |
| − | [[Category:Forages]]
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| − | [[Category:Vegetables]]
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| − | [[Category:Arabic words and phrases]]
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| − | [[Category:Pollination management]]
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