Breeding alfalfa for improved seedling vigor & establishment

Alfalfa is the most important forage crop in the US; it is widely adapted and provides an important source of protein in livestock diets. Alfalfa is frequently planted in mixtures with grasses, but alfalfa is typically not bred for its competitive ability and can fail to establish when hindered by environmental factors like poor soil drainage, seedling diseases and weed pressure. This project addresses the challenges associated with stand establishment in alfalfa and its ability to compete with other species in forage mixtures. 

We identified two elite alfalfa breeding populations within Cornell’s alfalfa breeding program as targets for selection for multiple traits related to establishment, including early vigor and weed competitive ability in a field setting. We also selected for seed size, seedling germination and vigor in greenhouse settings and for root morphology. Over the course of the project, selection for these traits took place in the lab, greenhouse and field. We also conducted an experiment comparing alfalfa plant vigor and establishment traits across multiple planting methods. Additionally, we carried out a set of experiments on red clover, another important livestock forage source.