Search

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Some forages require significant amounts of water to grow, causing the dairy industry to be dependent on a limited resource. Feeding crop residues and feed coproducts in dairy rations may represent opportunities when alfalfa is not readily available, and may reduce the industry's use of water. A study using indirect calorimetry and 12 multiparous lactating Jersey cows (BW = 447.5 ± 43.7 kg; DIM = 71 ± 11 d, mean ± SD) was conducted to determine the effect of feeding dried distillers grains and solubles (DDGS) and straw in replacement of alfalfa hay on milk production and energy utilization. A triplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to evaluate the replacement of alfalfa hay with a coproduct mixture (COP) of wheat straw and DDGS. Animals were blocked by milk yield and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental treatments as follows (proportions on a DM basis): a control diet (CON) containing 18.2% of alfalfa hay, a low-coproduct diet (LCOP) that contained 8.1% COP, a medium-coproduct diet (MCOP) that contained 16.3% COP, and a high-coproduct diet (HCOP) that contained 24.3% COP. No differences were observed for daily DMI or milk yield (mean ± SEM), 19.5 kg ± 0.60 and 29.6 kg ± 0.91, respectively. A quadratic tendency was observed, where increasing inclusion of COP up to 16.3% maintained ECM and milk fat yield but decreased these when animals were fed 24.3% COP. Total methane production decreased linearly from 429.4 to 345.0 ± 22.8 L/d from CON to HCOP diets, respectively. The digestibility of CP increased linearly from 64.0% to 70.4% ± 0.95%, and N balance increased linearly from 43.3 to 90.7 ± 15.0 g/d in animals consuming CON to HCOP diets. Total time spent ruminating was lowest in animals consuming the HCOP diet. A linear increasing tendency in digestible and metabolizable energy of 2.92 to 3.02 ± 0.041 Mcal/kg and 2.58 to 2.70 ± 0.047 Mcal/kg was observed in animals consuming CON to HCOP. The proportion of metabolizable energy from digestible energy tended to linearly increase from 88.3 to 89.4 ± 0.454 when COP was added to the diet. Results of this study indicate that alfalfa hay with a mixture of straw and DDGS can maintain milk production and DMI, but the partial or full replacement of alfalfa with the COP mixture may result in differences in energy utilization, in part driven by effects on CH 4 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selenium (Se) is indispensable for the majority of organisms, yet it also possesses toxic properties, with a delicate balance between insufficiency and harmful levels. Some plants can be used for resistance of Se pollution. Here, to identify the Se tolerance and resistance potential of alfalfa, we comprehensively investigated the effects of excessive Na2SeO3 on the physio-biochemical, anatomical, mRNA, and miRNA expression profile alterations. Foliar spraying 500 mg/kg Se significantly reduced the biomass in alfalfa probably by inhibiting photosynthesis (20.2%). Excessive Se breaks the balance of antioxidant system, resulting in an increase of H2O2 and MDA content by 14.2 and 4.3%. Leaf ultra-structure damages subsequently revealed the phytotoxic effects of Se. And at 500 mg/kg, alfalfa synthesized more S-type lignin probably to increase the Se tolerance, but it resulted in lower nutritional quality. Through RNA-seq, we found 2112 Se-responsive differentially expressed genes, including 1322 up-regulated and 790 down-regulated mRNAs, many of which were related to plant hormone signal transduction, redox reaction, S-assimilation, and cell homeostasis. Moreover, we identified 296 known and 258 conserved miRNAs, and predicted 310 novel miRNAs, among which 77 differentially expressed miRNAs were induced by Se. miRNAs play a crucial role in forming Se tolerance in alfalfa under the precise regulation of redox, chlorophyll degradation, photosynthesis, cell wall synthesis, and other related target genes. Our results provided insights into the complex mechanism of the Se stress response in alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-year research experiment was conducted on sandy loam soil at the University of California Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, California, to investigate the effect of midsummer deficit irrigation on alfalfa yield, irrigation water productivity (IWP), and crop water productivity (CWP). The experiment was a randomized block design with two treatments: full and deficit irrigations with three replications. Applied irrigation water was measured using flow meters and soil matric potentials were monitored using watermark soil moisture sensors. Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) values were estimated from Tule Technologies stations. The deficit irrigation treatments resulted in 454, 706, 625, and 815 mm of irrigation water savings as compared to the full irrigation treatments in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. These values represent 30.3%, 40.9%, 37.0%, and 49.1% of the applied water savings. Alfalfa yield in the deficit treatments was reduced by 3.94, 2.04, 1.25, and 0.40 Mg ha−1 ; the equivalent of 18.1%, 11.1%, 7.1%, and 3.0% of the yield for the full irrigation treatment for the four years: with an average reduction of 10.7%. IWP was higher when deficit irrigation was implemented and resulted in 17.09, 16.11, 15.40, and 15.54 kg ha−1 mm−1 , in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. The production function using applied irrigation water (IW, mm) was: Y(yield in Mg ha−1)=0.50×(IW)2−1,633.75×(IW)+1,338,472 and Y=−0.1137×(IW)2+233.55×(IW)−103,036 for the full and deficit irrigation treatments, respectively. CWP was 18.6, 16.4, 14.9, and 12.3 kg ha−1 mm−1 for fully irrigated treatments, and 15.2, 14.9, 14.3, and 12.6 kg ha−1 mm−1 for the deficit irrigation treatments, for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Results from this work provide growers with viable deficit irrigation practices that could be implemented during drought periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT Climate change and associated risks of extreme weather has led to growing interest in drought‐tolerant species such as lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in mixed grass‐legume forage production in North‐Western Europe. Lucerne and grasses have distinct nutritive value that can be combined when grown in mixtures. The extent of a ‘net mixture effect’ (NE) on the nutritive value, that is the deviations of the mixture quality from the expected one derived from the pure stands, has not been studied in any depth and requires further investigation in the context of climate change. The present study was conducted at four sites during two main cropping years with the aim of comparing potentially drought‐tolerant mixtures against pure stands. With significant sward type × site × year interactions, nutritive value of the mixed swards often differed significantly from pure stands, ranging intermediate between the component pure stand nutritive value. The concentration of water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) did not differ between mixtures and lucerne pure stands. Significant NE were found, with larger measured concentrations in mixtures compared to those predicted, for neutral and acid detergent fibre and the crude protein:WSC ratio. The concentrations of WSC and metabolizable energy were smaller than expected. The NE was not influenced by sward type or species number, except for WSC at a few sites. The results show that improved knowledge of positive mixing effects could be used to specifically enhance the nutritive value in grasses‐lucerne mixtures irrespective of sward diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic stressors such as salt stress restrict plant development and output, which lowers agricultural profitability. In this study, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties with different levels of salt tolerance were examined using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and Tandem Mass Tags (TMT) technologies to study the reactions of the root systems to salt stress, from transcriptomics and proteomics perspectives. The varieties Atlantic (AT) and Zhongmu-1 (ZM-1) were selected and evaluated after 2 h and 6 h of treatment with 150 mM NaCl. The results showed that under salt stress for 2 h, 1810 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 160 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in AT were screened, while 9341 DEGs and 193 DEPs were screened in ZM-1. Under salt stress for 6 h, 7536 DEGs and 118 DEPs were screened in AT, while 11,754 DEGs and 190 DEPs were screened in ZM-1. Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that the DEGS and DEPs were mainly involved in the glutathione metabolism, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, and photosynthesis pathways. A series of genes related to salt tolerance were also identified, including GSTL3 and GSTU3 of the GST gene family, PER5 and PER10 , of the PER gene family, and proteins such as APR and COMT , which are involved in biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. This study provides insights into salt resistance mechanisms in plants, and the related genes and metabolic pathways identified may be helpful for alfalfa breeding in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf area index (LAI) of alfalfa is a crucial indicator of its growth status and a predictor of yield. The LAI of alfalfa is influenced by environmental factors, and the limitations of non-linear models in integrating these factors affect the accuracy of LAI predictions. This study explores the potential of classical non-linear models and deep learning for predicting alfalfa LAI. Initially, Logistic, Gompertz, and Richards models were developed based on growth days to assess the applicability of nonlinear models for LAI prediction of alfalfa. In contrast, this study combines environmental factors such as temperature and soil moisture, and proposes a time series prediction model based on mutation point detection method and encoder-attention-decoder BiLSTM network (TMEAD-BiLSTM). The model's performance was analyzed and evaluated against LAI data from different years and cuts. The results indicate that the TMEAD-BiLSTM model achieved the highest prediction accuracy (R² > 0.99), while the non-linear models exhibited lower accuracy (R² > 0.78). The TMEAD-BiLSTM model overcomes the limitations of nonlinear models in integrating environmental factors, enabling rapid and accurate predictions of alfalfa LAI, which can provide valuable references for alfalfa growth monitoring and the establishment of field management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ensiling alfalfa cut in the morning or the afternoon with or without inoculant on chemical composition, ensiling characteristics, and digestive utilisation of alfalfa silages. Fresh forage was obtained from 3 plots of alfalfa, each one subdivided into 12 subplots. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial (cut AM or PM and with or without inoculant), with three replications (alfalfa plots) and three subsamples (subplots). Forage from each subplot was employed to fill one experimental silo. Variables of chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and in vitro digestive utilisation were determined. Data obtained were analysed by a mixed procedure and least square means were compared. Correlations between variables of chemical composition of original forage and composition and fermentation of silages, as well as between variables of chemical composition and digestive utilisation of silages were analysed. PM cutting led to silages with higher content of remaining soluble sugars (P = 0.01), lower pH (P < 0.01), lower NH3–N concentration (P = 0.02), and higher IVTDMD (P = 0.03) than silages made in the morning. Providing enough WSC through cutting forage in the afternoon led to improvements in conservation quality and in vitro digestive utilisation and was more effective than inoculating alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effect of nitrogen fertilizer on the root system of green fertilizer plants in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, green manure plants (alfalfa and Vicia sativa) were used as experimental materials in pot experiments with different nitrogen application levels (0,0.06,0.12,0.18, 0.24,0.30 g/dm²) in Xizang University of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. The effects of different nitrogen application treatments on root characteristics of green manure plants were studied. The results showed as follows: the root length, projected area, area, surface area, volume and branch number of alfalfa showed a trend of first decreasing, then increasing and then decreasing under different nitrogen application levels, and the changes were the largest under N5 treatment (0.30 g/dm²), which were higher than those in the control group. The number of root tips of Vicia sativa decreased first, then increased and then decreased. Root length, root projection area, root area, root surface area, root volume and root branching number showed a trend of first gradually increasing, then decreasing and then increasing. Root growth of Vicia sativa was significantly affected when common vetch was more than 0.18 g/dm² (N3 treatment). In general, for alfalfa, the effect of low nitrogen level on root growth was not obvious, and high concentration of nitrogen was helpful to promote the growth of plant roots. Root growth of Vicia sativa was significantly affected by overapplication of nitrogen fertilizer. Therefore, the appropriate nitrogen concentration should be controlled in the growth management of green manure plants to achieve the best production benefits. The results provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of nitrogen fertilizer application technology in Tibet, and also provide a scientific reference for the large-scale cultivation of alfalfa and Vicia sativa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some insect species have been proposed as a sustainable alternative to traditional animal‐based food and feed sources. Optimisation of insect production can generally be achieved using two main approaches: optimising environmental conditions and improving traits of interest through selective breeding. These avenues are not inseparable as performance of a genotype might differ between environments due to phenotypic plasticity and because genotypes can respond differently to environmental changes, that is genotype‐by‐environment interactions (G × E). In insect production, diets can be of variable quality and consist of waste‐ and by‐products of low nutritional value, which might result in decreased performance and/or increased trait variability within a population. Therefore, it is of interest to investigate how genotypes perform across various diets. Here, we investigated plasticity and G × E for mean performance and trait variation, which we define as the ability of a genotype to produce consistent phenotypes within and across environments. We did this by rearing 190 full‐sib families of house fly larvae, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), on two diets based on either alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. (Fabales: Fabaceae), or deproteinated grass. Four larval traits were assessed: egg‐to‐larva viability, surface area, dry weight and relative lipid content. Reaction norms were used to investigate the effects of diet on full‐sib family mean and trait variation within and across environments. We found that families reared on the grass‐based diet had higher performance across all investigated traits than families reared on the alfalfa‐based diet. For both mean performance and trait variation, we found G × E for all investigated traits. These findings suggest that there is genetic variation for plasticity (slope of reaction norms) for both trait mean and trait variation, and thus that there is a potential to breed for genotypes with high performance as well as for genotypes with low trait variation within and across diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The value of milk components is increasingly recognised for human health benefits (e.g. omega-3 fatty acids, FA), or indicators of nutrient-use efficiency for both animal and environmental benefits (e.g. milk urea, MU). Aims: The study explored whether inclusion of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in a perennial ryegrass and white clover (Lolium perenne L. and Trifolium repens L, PRW)-based diet affects milk production, MU concentration, and milk FA composition of dairy cows during mid-lactation. Methods: Thirty-two cows, balanced for milk production (26.1 ± 3.03 kg/cow), MU (16.6 ± 2.84 mg/dL), and days in milk (94 ± 7 days), were evenly allocated into eight groups of four. Groups were then randomly assigned one of two dietary treatments, namely, PRW only (control), and PRW plus lucerne (lucerne). During an 8-day adaptation, control cows were fed a fresh allocation after each milking at 08:30 hours and 16:00 hours to provide 25 kg/cow.day DM of fresh PRW herbage above a target post-grazing height of 4.5 cm height. Cows on lucerne were allocated 10 kg DM of fresh lucerne at 08:30 hours, and 15 kg DM of fresh PRW at 16:00 hours. Apparent nutrient intakes and milk composition were determined on Days 9 and 10 of the study. Key results: Diet treatment did not significantly alter DM or metabolisable energy intake, milk production, or milk fat and protein percentage. However, compared with control cows, nitrogen and linoleic acid (LA) intake increased, and soluble carbohydrate, neutral detergent fibre, and alpha linoleic acid (ALA) intake decreased for cows fed lucerne. Milk urea increased by 43% for lucerne compared with control cows (22.4 vs 15.7 ± 1.43 mg/dL, P < 0.001). Cows grazing lucerne produced milk with a higher concentration of LA and ALA than did the control cows. Increases in milk LA from grazing lucerne were congruent with improvement in intake of the FA from the diet, whereas increases in ALA occurred despite the corresponding lower dietary intake. Conclusion: Supplementing a pasture diet with lucerne increased MU and FA. Implications: Lucerne has the potential to enhance dietary protein supply during periods of deficiency and increase the supply of functional FA in the milk of grazing dairy cattle. Ruminant milk components are increasingly recognised for human health benefits (e.g. functional fatty acid composition) or indicators of nutrient supply (e.g. milk urea). This experiment investigated the effect of including lucerne at 40% of the traditional diet of perennial ryegrass-white clover mix on milk production and composition. The findings showed that lucerne can improve dietary protein supply during periods of deficiency and increase the concentration of functional fatty acids in the milk of grazing dairy cattle. This article belongs to the collection: Australasian Dairy Science Symposium 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E3 ubiquitin ligases known as plant U-box (PUB) proteins regulate a variety of aspects of plant growth, development, and stress response. However, the functions and characteristics of the PUB gene family in alfalfa remain unclear. This work involved a genome-wide examination of the alfalfa U-box E3 ubiquitin ligase gene. In total, 210 members were identified and divided into five categories according to their homology with the members of the U-box gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana. The phylogenetic analysis, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, promoters, and regulatory networks of this gene were investigated. Chromosomal localization and covariance analyses indicated that the MsPUB genes expanded MsPUB gene family members through gene duplication events during evolution. MsPUB genes may be involved in the light response, phytohormone response, growth, and development of several biological activities, according to cis-acting element analysis of promoters. In addition, transcriptome analysis and expression analysis by qRT-PCR indicated that most MsPUB genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress, drought stress, and salt stress treatments. Among them, MsPUBS106 and MsPUBS185 were significantly and positively correlated with cold resistance in alfalfa. MsPUBS110, MsPUBS067, MsPUBS111 and MsPUB155 were comprehensively involved in drought stress, low temperature, and salt stress resistance. All things considered, these discoveries offer fresh perspectives on the composition, development, and roles of the PUB gene family in alfalfa. They also provide theoretical guidance for further investigations into the mechanisms regulating the development, evolution, and stress tolerance of MsPUB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), an important forage crop with high nutritional value and good palatability, plays a vital role in the development of animal husbandry in China. In Northeast China, there are vast areas of saline–alkali land that remain undeveloped. Given that alfalfa is a highly adaptable forage crop, exploring its salt tolerance at the molecular transcriptional level and identifying salt-tolerant genes has great significance for breeding salt-resistant alfalfa varieties. This also provides valuable genetic resources for better utilization of saline–alkali land. In this study, we conducted two rounds of screening on 41 alfalfa varieties and identified WL168 as a salt-sensitive variety and Longmu801 as a salt-tolerant variety. After 7 days of 300 mM salt stress, both varieties showed a decreasing trend in plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight over time, but Longmu801 demonstrated better water retention ability compared to WL168. Chlorophyll content also declined, but chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll levels in Longmu801 were higher than in WL168. Hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels increased overall, but Longmu801 had significantly lower levels than WL168 under prolonged stress. Both varieties showed increasing trends in soluble sugars, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, POD, CAT), with Longmu801 significantly outperforming WL168. This suggests that the two varieties share similar growth and physiological response mechanisms, with their differences primarily arising from variations in indicator levels. In the above, comparisons between varieties were conducted based on the relative values of the indicators in relation to their controls. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that under salt stress, Longmu801 had 16,485 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) relative to its control, while WL168 had 18,726 DEGs compared to its control. Among these, 2164 DEGs shared the same expression trend, with GO functions enriched in response to oxidative stress, nucleus, plasma membrane, and others. The KEGG pathways were enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, starch and sucrose metabolism, and others. This suggests that alfalfa's transcriptional response mechanism to salt stress involves these pathways. Additionally, the variety-specific DEGs were also enriched in the same KEGG pathways and GO functions, indicating that the differences between the two varieties stem from their unique stress-responsive DEGs, while their overall mechanisms for coping with stress remain similar. To further identify salt stress-related genes, this study conducted WGCNA analysis using 32,683 genes and physiological indicators. Six modules closely related to physiological traits were identified, and the top five genes ranked by degree in each module were selected as hub genes. Further analysis of these hub genes identified five genes directly related to salt stress: Msa085011, Msa0605650, Msa0397400, Msa1258740, and Msa0958830. Mantel test analysis revealed that these genes showed strong correlations with physiological indicators. This study will provide important insights for breeding salt-tolerant alfalfa varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planting vegetation on saline-alkaline land enhances soil fertility and sustainability by improving salt-alkali tolerance. Different salt-tolerant plant species interact with soil microorganisms, enriching bacterial communities and promoting nutrient availability. In this study, mechanisms affecting microbial communities in severely saline-alkaline soils planted with salt-tolerant plants are investigated. Over 4 years, the potential to cultivate three salt-tolerant plant species (tall wheatgrass Agropyron elongatum , chicory Chicorium intybus , and alfalfa Medicago sativa) in severely saline-alkaline soils is compared with a non-cultivated control. Bacterial and fungal communities were characterized through high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene V3–V4 region and the V4 region, respectively. Cultivating these three plant species significantly reduces soil electrical conductivity values. Chicory cultivation notably increased soil nutrients, bacterial alpha richness, and fungal alpha diversity and richness. Microbial community structures vary considerably between the control and treatments, significantly correlating with the soil quality index. This index enables an assessment of soil health and fertility by integrating variables such as nutrient content, microbial diversity, and salinity levels. In each plant treatment, particularly alfalfa, the relative abundances of fungal pathogens like Neocosmospora and Gibellulopsis increase, which may pose risks to subsequent crops such as tomatoes, requiring careful consideration in future planting decisions. Conversely, in alfalfa and tall wheatgrass treatments, there was an increase in the relative abundances of fungal genera (e.g., Alternaria and Podospora) that antagonize fungal pathogens, while Paraphoma increased in the chicory treatment. The strong relationship between microorganisms and the rise in pathogen-resistant fungi across different plant treatments highlights robust and beneficial structural characteristics. According to soil quality index scores, each treatment, but especially that of chicory, improved the severely saline–alkaline soil environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the precise and efficient symbiosis between Sinorhizobium meliloti LL2 and different alfalfa varieties, we conducted experiments using eight alfalfa varieties along with the S. meliloti LL2. Our objective was to identify highly effective symbiotic combinations by analyzing differences in nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and biomass accumulation. The results revealed that Gannong NO.9 had higher values for single effective root nodule weight (1.30 mg) and the number of infected cells in root nodules (2795) compared to other varieties (p < 0.05). Additionally, Gannong NO.9 exhibited the highest nitrogenase activity (0.91 μmol·g−1·h−1), nitrogen fixation percentage (67.16%), and amount of nitrogen fixation (18.80 mg/pot). Moreover, there was a significant 26.50% increase in aboveground tissue nitrogen accumulation compared to the control check (CK) (p < 0.05). Furthermore, underground tissue showed excellent values for nitrogen accumulation (35.68 mg/plant) and crude protein content (17.75%) when compared with other treatments. The growth of plants was demonstrated by the combined impact of nodulation and nitrogen fixation. The distribution of biomass after nitrogen fixation was compared to the control group (p < 0.05) to investigate accumulation. The eight combinations of symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) were classified into six distinct types based on their significantly different biomass growth rates compared to CK. ① Aboveground accumulation type: Gannong NO.9 (there was a 24.31% increase in aboveground dry weight); ② aboveground and underground accumulation type: Qingshui (the aboveground dry weight increased by 135.94%, while the underground dry weight grew by 35.26%); ③ aboveground accumulation, underground depletion type: Gannong NO.5 (); ④ zero-growth type (there was no significant difference in dry weights, both above and below ground, compared to CK): WL168HQ, WL319HQ and Longzhong; ⑤ aboveground and underground depletion type: WL298HQ (the aboveground dry weight decreased by 29.29%, while the underground dry weight decreased by 20.23%); ⑥ underground depletion type: Gannong NO.3 (the underground dry weight showed a decrease of 34.49%); no type with aboveground consumption and underground accumulation was found. The study clarified the optimal combination of LL2 and Gannong NO.9, finding that biomass accumulation after symbiotic nitrogen fixation is variety-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansins are known as cell wall loosening proteins and are involved in cell expansion and varieties of plant developmental progresses. However, little is known about their biological functions in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). In the present study, 30 MsEXP genes were identified in the alfalfa (cultivar "zhongmu-1") genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these MsEXP proteins were divided into four subfamilies, including twenty-one MsEXPAs, six MsEXPBs, one MsEXL1 and two MsEXLBs. MsEXP genes were unevenly distributed on eight chromosomes. The gene structures of the MsEXP genes and the motif composition of the MsEXP proteins were inconsistent with the phylogenetic relationship of MsEXPs. Cis-acting elements analysis indicated that MsEXP genes may respond to diverse hormonal signals involved in the developmental progress of plants. Furthermore, expression analysis suggested that MsEXP genes exhibited distinct expression patterns among different tissues of alfalfa. Overexpression of MsEXPA3 or MsEXPA4 promoted the growth of leaves, stems and roots of Arabidopsis, thereby increasing the biomass of plants. Subsequent cell morphological analysis uncovered that overexpression of MsEXPA3 or MsEXPA4 promoted the expansion of cells. Taken together, these findings illustrate the functions of MsEXP proteins in regulating the development of plants. Our results may provide a strong basis for further elucidating the roles of these EXP genes in alfalfa development and valuable genetic resources for future crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accumulation of coal gangue (CG) poses significant risks to both human health and ecological systems, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable methods to utilize this abundant waste material effectively. In this study, we successfully screened and isolated the Bacillus velezensis bacterial strain to enhance the solubilization of potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) nutrients from CG. The study employed XRD, FTIR, SEM, and HPLC techniques to investigate the underlying mechanisms of CG solubilization. Various parameters such as CG particle size, incubation time, initial inoculation ratio, concentration of CG, pH, and temperature were optimized to maximize solubilization efficiency. The Bacillus velezensis bacterium can dissolve minerals of CG by adhering to its surface and secreting various kinds of organic acids, particularly succinic acid. Pot experiments further demonstrated that Bacillus velezensis, in conjunction with CG, promotes alfalfa growth. These combined findings suggest that Bacillus velezensis and coal gangue hold promising potential as mineral soil conditioners, effectively enhancing plant growth. This approach presents a viable alternative for the environmentally responsible utilization of CG, addressing both ecological concerns and agricultural sustainability. IMPORTANCE Coal gangue piles not only occupy significant amounts of arable land but also cause serious environmental pollution. Therefore, finding sustainable methods for the clean utilization of CG is imperative. Although previous studies have shown that bacteria can promote the solubilization of available phosphorus and available potassium from CG, their impact on promoting plant growth remains understudied. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate the potential of Bacillus velezensis in enhancing the effectiveness of CG as a mineral fertilizer to support alfalfa growth. The evidence presented in this study provides an ecological strategy for the utilization of CG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multispectral imaging by unoccupied aerial vehicles provides a nondestructive, high-throughput approach to measure biomass accumulation over successive alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa) harvests. Information from estimated growth curves can be used to infer harvest biomass and to gain insights into the relationship between growth dynamics and forage biomass stability across cuttings and years. In this study, multispectral imaging and several common vegetation indices were used to estimate genetic parameters and model growth of alfalfa cultivars to determine the longitudinal relationship between vegetation indices and forage biomass. Results showed moderate heritability for vegetation indices, with median plot level heritability ranging from 0.11 to 0.64, across multiple cuttings in three trials planted in Ithaca, NY, and Las Cruces, NM. Genetic correlations between the normalized difference vegetation index and forage biomass were moderate to high across trials, cuttings, and the timing of multispectral image capture. To evaluate the relationship between growth parameters and forage biomass stability across cuttings and environmental conditions, random regression modeling approaches were used to estimate the growth parameters of cultivars for each cutting and the variance in growth was compared to the variance in genetic estimates of forage biomass yield across cuttings. These analyses revealed high correspondence between stability in growth parameters and stability of forage yield. The results of this study indicate that vegetation indices are effective at modeling genetic components of biomass accumulation, presenting opportunities for more efficient screening of cultivars and new longitudinal modeling approaches that can provide insights into temporal factors influencing cultivar stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As competition for limited water resources in the western United States and other arid and semiarid regions intensifies, there is a need to provide alfalfa (Medicago sativa) growers with knowledge of how water‐optimizing practices impact alfalfa nutrient use. The objective of this research was to evaluate how three water management strategies, and their interactions, influence alfalfa K and P concentration, uptake, uptake efficiency, and internal use efficiency. Alfalfa cultivars, deficit irrigation, and irrigation technologies were tested at two sites in Utah during 2020–2021. A single drought‐tolerant (DT) cultivar ('Ladak II') was compared to a conventional alfalfa cultivar specific to each location. Four irrigation rates (100%, uniform reductions of 25% and 50%, and a targeted reduction of ∼50%) were nested within five pivot irrigation technologies. Few alfalfa K and P nutrient dynamics responded to the interactions of cultivar and rate or technology. Nutrient responses to the irrigation technologies were strongly associated with the technology effect on alfalfa yield such that uptake efficiency was sometimes greater with low‐elevation sprinkler technologies. The K and P responses to deficit irrigation were most pronounced at the uniform or targeted 50% irrigation rate. Alfalfa cultivar had the least impact on alfalfa K and P dynamics, and the DT cultivar never improved uptake or efficiencies. These results indicate that few adjustments in K and P management may be needed with the three water optimization approaches evaluated in this study. The most notable is that K and P fertilizer input can likely be reduced with severe deficit irrigation. Core Ideas: There is a need to identify how combinations of water optimization practices influence alfalfa nutrient management.Irrigation technology and alfalfa cultivar had minor effects on alfalfa K and P dynamics.Irrigation rate had the largest impact on K and P efficiency and use with less irrigation increasing efficiency.K and P fertilizer applications can likely be reduced under deficit irrigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perennial rhizomatous weed Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. is difficult to manage on semiarid organic farms. Our objective was to quantify the impact of eight 4‐year crop sequences crossed with standard‐ and reduced‐tillage on C. arvense occurrence (presence/absence), stem density, and aboveground biomass at two semiarid sites in Montana. The sequences represented a range of crop competition from high (multiple years of perennial forage [alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.]) to low (2 years of continuous fallow), with intermediate sequences consisting of different annual species. Final‐year spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) was planted in all sequences to determine impacts on subsequent cash crop production. Through time, alfalfa and double fallow sequences reduced C. arvense density and biomass where it was established, although its invasion into new areas increased in the double fallow. Final‐year C. arvense occurrence and stem density were lower in the alfalfa sequence compared with six and four annual crop sequences, respectively (p < 0.05). Final year C. arvense biomass was higher at one site than the other, although not in the double fallow sequence. Wheat grain yields differed in response to crop sequences at the two sites: at one site, grain yield was lowest in the alfalfa sequence, especially when standard‐tillage was used, while yields were highest in the alfalfa and double fallow sequences at the other site. Using perennial forages in semiarid organic systems can be effective for managing C. arvense, but subsequent cash crop yield may be depressed. Core Ideas: Consecutive years of alfalfa or tilled fallow reduced Cirsium arvense.Wheat yield was elevated following consecutive years of fallow.Alfalfa‐induced wheat yield depression occurred at the site where severe drought persisted.Reduced‐tillage practices provided the same Cirsium arvense control as standard‐tillage practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a major abiotic stress that limits the growth and yield of alfalfa, a vital forage legume. The plant metalloproteinase Filamentation temperature-sensitive H (FtsH) is an ATP- and Zn2+-dependent enzyme that plays a significant character in the plant's response to environmental stress. However, its functional role in drought resistance remains largely unexplored. This study investigates the drought tolerance role of alfalfa MsFtsH8 by analyzing the growth, physiology, and gene expression of overexpressing plants under drought conditions. The results demonstrated that both MsFtsH8-overexpressing Arabidopsis and alfalfa plants exhibited superior growth condition and enhanced membrane stability. The overexpressing alfalfa plants also showed reduced MDA levels, higher proline content, lower H2O2 accumulation, an increased activity of antioxidant-related enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT) activity, and an elevated expression of antioxidant-related genes. These results indicated that the overexpression of MsFtsH8 enhanced growth, improved osmotic regulation, reduced ROS levels, and increased antioxidative capacity, ultimately leading to greater drought tolerance in alfalfa. Our findings suggest that MsFtsH8 mitigates oxidative damage caused by drought by modulating the plant's antioxidant system, thus improving drought tolerance in alfalfa. This study provides a molecular basis and candidate genes for enhancing drought resistance in alfalfa through genetic engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicago sativa L. (Alfalfa) is a globally recognized forage legume that has recently gained attention for its high protein content, making it suitable for both human and animal consumption. However, due to its perennial nature and autotetraploid genetics, conventional plant breeding requires a longer timeframe compared to other crops. Therefore, genetic engineering offers a faster route for trait modification and improvement. Here, we describe a protocol for achieving efficient transient gene expression in alfalfa through genetic transformation with the Agrobacterium tumefaciens pCAMBIA1304 vector. This vector contains the reporter genes β-glucuronidase (GUS) and green fluorescent protein (GFP), along with a selectable hygromycin B phosphotransferase gene, all driven by the CaMV 35s promoter. Various transformation parameters—such as different explant types, leaf ages, leaf sizes, wounding types, bacterial concentrations (OD600nm), tissue preculture periods, infection periods, co-cultivation periods, and different concentrations of acetosyringone, silver nitrate, and calcium chloride—were optimized using 3-week-old in vitro-grown plantlets. Results were attained from data based on the semi-quantitative observation of the percentage and number of GUS spots on different days of agro-infection in alfalfa explants. The highest percentage of GUS positivity (76.2%) was observed in 3-week-old, scalpel-wounded, segmented alfalfa leaf explants after 3 days of agro-infection at a bacterial concentration of 0.6, with 2 days of preculture, 30 min of co-cultivation, and the addition of 150 µM acetosyringone, 4 mM calcium chloride, and 75 µM silver nitrate. The transient expression of genes of interest was confirmed via histochemical GUS and GFP assays. The results based on transient reporter gene expression suggest that various factors influence T-DNA delivery in the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of alfalfa. The improved protocol can be used in stable transformation techniques for alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grassland is prone to degradation following multi-year maintenance. Yet, its mechanism regarding the stoichiometry of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) across plant-soil system is still unclear. To address this issue, the method of space-for-time sampling was employed to investigate alfalfa grasslands with five planting years (5-, 8-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year periods) in the semiarid Loess Plateau. The results showed that the alfalfa above- and underground biomass decreased steadily decrease after the fifth to eighth years, showing a degradation tendency with the extension of planting duration. The mean weight diameter of aggregate registered an increase with planting years. However, the C and N stocks decreased with planting years in five soil aggregate fractions. Specifically, they were the highest in the fifth year and then started to gradually decrease along the 8th, 10th, 15th, and 20th year. Redundancy and correlation analysis confirmed that the C and N stocks of soil aggregates were closely positively associated with those of plant. Overall, the highest stability of soil physical structure was found during the period from the fifth to eighth year, and, afterward, the stability declined. In conclusion, alfalfa plantation improved soil structure stability but aggravated soil C and N stocks, and biomass and soil aggregate indicators accounted for alfalfa field degradation after a certain year of plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally important legume crop with high nutritional and ecological value. Drought poses a serious threat to alfalfa acreage and yields. Spermine (Spm) has been shown to protect plants from drought damage. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of exogenous Spm to improve drought resistance of alfalfa. Methods: In this study, we root applied 0.1, 0.5, and 1mM Spm to Gannong No. 3 (G3) alfalfa under drought stress, and then determined their physiological and metabolic changes. Results: The results showed that exogenous Spm increased chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and gas exchange parameters, enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity, improved ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, increased osmoregulatory substances content, reduced hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion levels, and inhibited malondialdehyde accumulation in alfalfa under drought stress, thereby increasing plant height and leaf relative water content and enhancing drought tolerance of alfalfa. The redundancy analysis of the above physiological indicators showed that the addition of the optimal Spm to improve drought tolerance of alfalfa under drought stress was mainly achieved by increasing catalase activity and improving the ASA-GSH cycle. In addition, metabolomics analysis revealed that exogenous Spm increased the content of oxobutanedioic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid and malic acid to enhance the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Meanwhile, exogenous Spm increased endogenous Spm and proline (Pro) content to resist drought stress by enhancing Spm and Pro metabolism. Moreover, exogenous Spm increased the accumulation of the signaling substance abscisic acid. Discussion: In conclusion, exogenous Spm enhanced drought resistance of alfalfa leaves under drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The need for suitable tools to measure urination behavior in the field during pastoral grazing is well recognized. The current study investigated the accuracy of a modified urine sensor (PEETER V2.0) that measures urine volume and collects a proportional urine sample from every urination event. These can then be used for analysis of the urine nitrogen concentration and an estimation of the daily urine nitrogen excretion of each cow. The findings indicate a strong and positive correlation between the actual and sensor-derived values regarding urine volume. There was also a strong and positive correlation between the samples collected by the sensor and observers regarding urine nitrogen concentration and the calculated urinary nitrogen excretion. Further analysis indicated that the nitrogen concentration of the urine sample collected by the sensor is a reasonable mean of the daily average urinary nitrogen concentration. Therefore, the sensor is a real-time tool that measures urine volume and collects a sample for analyzing and estimating the mean urinary N excretion from grazing dairy cattle. This could be useful for evaluating the impacts of various strategies, such as nutritional manipulation, on urinary nitrogen excretion in grazing systems in the field. The purpose of this research was to validate a urine sensor (Lincoln University PEETER V2.0, Canterbury, New Zealand) that records the time and volume of urination events for dairy cows in addition to collecting a proportional urine sample from all urination events. Sixteen multiparous Holstein × Jersey mid-lactating cows (101 ± 5 days in milk, 498 ± 24.2 kg body weight, 26.2 ± 3.07 kg/d milk yield; mean ± standard deviation) were allocated herbage diets ranging in protein and sodium content to generate a range of urine volumes and urine nitrogen (UN) concentrations. Total collection of individual urination events occurred during a 72-h measurement period where PEETER V2.0 sensors were attached to cows. A mixed model ANOVA using lme4 package (version 1.1-35.5) in R (version 4.3.3) were used to compare the means. The average urine event size was 2.65 ± 1.1 L for total collection by observers and 2.68 ± 1.1 L as recorded by the sensor (mean ± standard deviation; p = 0.730). The urine nitrogen concentration was 5.76 ± 1.2 g N/L for samples collected by observers and 5.85 ± 1.3 g N/L for the samples collected by the sensor (p = 0.583). The calculated UN excretion was 156 ± 45.1 g/day for direct measurements and 162 ± 40.0 g/day for the sensor (p = 0.539. Contrasts with simultaneously measured data were undertaken using Lin's Concordance Correlation Coefficient (CCC) and a Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Correlations between the actual values and sensor values were strong, with little to moderate variability in the urine volume (CCC = 0.936, r = 0.937; n = 222), UN concentration (CCC = 0.840, r = 0.837, n = 48) and total UN excretion (CCC = 0.827, r = 0.836, n = 24). Considering the findings, the PEETER V2.0 urine sensor has the potential to reliably measure urine volumes and UN concentrations for estimations of the UN excretion of dairy cattle under grazing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drought stress is a major limiting factor that affects forage yields, and understanding the drought resistance mechanism of plants is crucial for improving crop yields in arid areas. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important legume plant, mainly planted in arid and semi-arid areas. However, the adaptability of alfalfa to drought stress and its physiological and molecular mechanisms of drought resistance remains unclear. Results: In this study, we analyzed the physiological and transcriptome responses of alfalfa cultivars with different drought resistances (drought-sensitive Gannong No. 3 (G3), drought-resistant Gannong No. 8 (G8), and strong drought-resistant Longdong (LD)) under drought stress at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h. LD had higher catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and a higher soluble protein content, lower malondialdehyde (MDA) content, a lower O2·− production rate, and a lower H2O2 content than G8 and G3 (P < 0.05). The functional enrichment analysis, temporal expression pattern analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, glutathione metabolism, and biosynthesis of amino acid responses to drought stress in alfalfa. The differential expression of genes during phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, and the glutathione metabolism pathway was further studied, and it was speculated that PAL, COMT, 4CL, CCR, CAD, HXK, INV, SUS, WAXY, AGP, GST, and APX1 played important roles in the alfalfa drought stress response. Conclusions: The aim of this study was to enhance alfalfa drought resistance by overexpressing positively regulated genes and knocking out negatively regulated genes, providing genetic resources for the subsequent molecular-assisted breeding of drought-resistant alfalfa crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cultivation of alfalfa is crucial for farmers as it is an excellent forage crop with a high nitrogen-fixing capacity, making it indispensable in crop rotations. Breeding programs face challenges in advancing more rapidly in genetic diversity to achieve a higher heterosis effect and, consequently, greater yield. In this study, we used 30 alfalfa varieties, which were used for molecular analyses by 5 ISSR primers and 13 RAPD primers. The results obtained highlighted the greater efficiency of ISSR primers in identifying genetic diversity. On the other hand, the simultaneous use of ISSR + RAPD allowed for clearer clustering of varieties that enabled more efficiently distinguishing the genetic diversity. The most efficient ISSR primer, A17, generated 31 polymorphic bands, while the most efficient RAPD primer, L-07, generated only 21 bands. Varieties such as "Pastoral" and "F1413-02" exhibited low similarity coefficients (0.39), suggesting their potential for enhancing genetic variability through crossbreeding, thereby increasing the potential of achieving a greater heterosis effect. Conversely, varieties with high similarity coefficients, such as "Cristal" and "Viking" (0.81) are less suited for this purpose. The correlation between specific markers highlights that using both ISSR and RAPD markers together offers a clear understanding of genetic diversity in alfalfa, aiding in more effective selection for crossbreeding in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the suitable drip head flow, buried depth and irrigation quota of alfalfa under subsurface drip irrigation, field experiments were carried out to study the single factor effects of key technical parameters of subsurface drip irrigation on alfalfa root system and yield by setting three drip irrigation areas with drip head flow (1.38, 2.00 and 3.00 L/h), three buried depths of drip irrigation area (10, 20 and 30 cm) and three subsurface drip irrigation water quota (15.0, 22.5 and 30.0 mm). The results show that when the drip flow rate is 2.00 L/h, the growth of alfalfa root system is more favorable and the buried depth of drip irrigation has a significant effect on lateral roots of alfalfa. Irrigation quota has significant effects on specific root surface area, root tip number, lateral root occurrence number and lateral root position of alfalfa. The yield of alfalfa treated with small drip flow is generally higher than that treated with large drip flow. The buried depth of drip irrigation area has no significant effect on alfalfa yield. In a certain range, the yield of alfalfa is increased gradually with the increase of irrigation quota. Considering the factors of water saving and yield, it is suggested that the key technical parameters of alfalfa subsurface drip irrigation in Etoke Qianqi area of Ordos are as follows: The drip head flow is 2.00 L/h, the buried depth of drip irrigation area is 20 cm, and the irrigation quota is 22.5 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to study the production performance and nutritional quality of 28 alfalfa varieties to select suitable alfalfa varieties for planting in Hinggan League area of Inner Mongolia. The trial analyzed the production performance, nutritional quality, and feeding value of the introduced alfalfa varieties, classified the alfalfa varieties by the square Euclidean distance complete linkage method, and conducted a comprehensive evaluation using the membership function analysis method. The results showed that the fresh grass yield and hay yield of Zhungeer were the highest, at 14 533.33 kg/hm² and 3 633.33 kg/hm², respectively. Caoyuan No.2 had the highest crude protein content (20.27%), the lowest neutral detergent fiber content (44.95%), the lowest acid detergent fiber content (38.40%), and the highest relative feeding value (122.10), but its fresh grass yield and hay yield were relatively low, at 9 083.33 kg/hm² and 2 516.67 kg/hm², respectively. Longmu 806 had the lowest crude protein content (15.27%), the lowest crude ash content (6.16%), the lowest crude fat content (1.34%), the highest neutral detergent fiber content (58.78%), the highest acid detergent fiber content (50.98%), and the lowest relative feeding value (77.85), but Longmu 806 had relatively high fresh grass yield and hay yield, at 13 733.33 kg/hm² and 3 450.00 kg/hm², respectively. The 28 alfalfa varieties could be grouped into three groups, the first group was the optimal group, the production performance and nutritional quality are relatively high, there were 17 alfalfa varieties. The second category for high yield group, the production performance is relatively high, but the nutritional quality as poorer, there were four alfalfa varieties. The third group was the high quality group, the nutritional quality was relatively high, but the production performance was poor, there were seven alfalfa varieties. The study indicates that Kangsai, Baimu 202, and Liangmu are suitable for promotion and planting in Hinggan League area of Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentrate supplementation can affect multiple parameters in grazing dairy systems. In mixed pastures (Medicago sativa L. and Dactylis glomerata L.) grazed by New Zealand Holstein cows, a study was done of the effects of concentrate supplementation timing on individual production, stocking rate and milk production per hectare. Two experiments were done, one in winter and another in spring-summer. Experimental design was 3x3 crossover with treatments defined by concentrate (5.0 kg DM cow-1d -1) supplement administration times: after morning milking (AM), after afternoon milking (PM), and equally divided between both milkings (AM-PM). The experimental units were batches of six (winter) or five cows (spring-summer), which received the treatments, and their respective grazing areas. The rotational grazing management criterion was 8 cm residual forage height in all treatments, which allowed estimation of the effects of the treatments on stocking rate. Stocking rate did not differ (P>0.05) between treatments. Milk production per cow in the AM treatments was an average of 10.2 % higher than the other two treatments, both in winter (8.6 %, P=0.0002) and spring-summer (11.7 %, P<0.0001). The increase in milk production per hectare (9 %) was due to individual response and not to differences in stocking rate. Use of a uniform residual forage height was a simple way of estimating the response in stocking rate and thus milk production per hectare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The halophile Halomonas maura and biological N-fixing Rhizobium may increase salinity tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), especially for alfalfa populations with improved salt tolerance. The objectives of this study were to 1) evaluate whether salt-tolerant bacteria or a 60 kg/ha nitrogen amendment could increase the salinity tolerance of alfalfa; 2) assess whether recurrent selections for salt tolerance in alfalfa populations would differentially interact with soil bacteria. Methods: Three alfalfa generations sequentially selected for improved salt tolerance were inoculated with either highly salt-tolerant (H. maura), moderately-tolerant (Ensifer meliloti) bacteria, or a 60 kg/ha nitrogen amendment in either non- (0 dS/m), moderate-(8 dS/m), or highly (16 dS/m) saline soil in the greenhouse. Results: Recurrent selection of alfalfa in salinity stress causes increased chlorophyll content, stem count, and plant height; however, yield loss occurred under 120 d of moderate salinity stress. Improved alfalfa generations in combination with nitrogen amendments were able to produce the highest biomass yields in moderate salinity stress. E. meliloti had a positive effect during regrowth, and it increased proline content in both shoot and root tissue. In comparison, H. maura provided no discernible benefits to alfalfa under salt stress. Conclusion: Recurrent plant selection combined with N-fixing rhizobium could increase alfalfa growth under a multi-harvest system. As alfalfa positively responded to N fertilizer and N fixing rhizobium, improvement of alfalfa traits related to nitrogen utilization and biological N fixation may be vital to alfalfa salt tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollination stands out as the paramount ecosystem service facilitated by insect pollinators, providing benefits to over three quarters of the world's major crops. The conservation and effective management of honeybees constitute integral components for ensuring the sustainable productivity of cross-pollinated crops. The present study aimed to document the potential pollinators of lucerne in the Bundelkhand region in India, which is known for its subtropical climatic conditions. Further, the foraging behaviour, including foraging rate and speed, was meticulously documented. A total of 13 insect species from seven families across three insect orders were observed visiting lucerne flowers. Hymenopterans comprised the majority of the floral visitors (73.48%), followed by Lepidoptera (26.51%) during the study period. Among them, Apis dorsata (Hymenoptera: Apidae) emerged as the most predominant floral visitor, exhibiting peak activity at 12:00 h with a density of 7.85 bees/m2/10 min. Surprisingly, among the major floral visitors, A. florea has the highest mean foraging rate (number of flowers visited/minute/forager), i.e., 11.56, 11.59 and 10.79 bees/flowers/minute during the initial flowering stage, peak flowering stage and late flowering stage, respectively. However, the foraging speed (time spent by the forager on each flower) was longest in A. dorsata , i.e., 5.05, 3.78 and 5.41 s/flower during initial, peak and late flowering stages, respectively. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing honeybee activity to boost lucerne seed yield. Further, the outcomes of the study can be leveraged to optimize honeybee colony management, scheduling field operations such as pesticide application and weeding during periods of minimal honeybee activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassinosteroid (BR) signaling is regulated by BRI1-EMS SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1) transcription factors, which are crucial for plant growth, development, and stress responses. Despite their importance, BES1 gene studies in Medicago sativa L. are limited, hindering our understanding of the BR signaling in this species. This study identified four BES1 genes in M. sativa; characterized their properties, conserved motifs, cis-regulatory elements, and chromosomal location; and explored their functions in development and stress responses. A phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into two subfamilies. Transcript profiling showed widespread and tissue-specific expression patterns. A qRT-PCR analysis unveiled that most MsBESI genes were upregulated under salt and drought treatments, except MsG0280009980, which was suppressed. This research lays the groundwork for enhancing M. sativa stress resistance and understanding the BES1 gene family's function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in acidic soils is often affected by phosphorus (P) deficiency, which results in reduced mineral nutrient content and forage quality. In this context, the effects of phosphorus (P) fertiliser remain unclear. In this study, we analysed the effects of P application on mineral nutrient content and forage quality in aluminium (Al)-sensitive (Longzhong) and Al-tolerant (Trifecta) alfalfa cultivars cultivated in two acidic soil environments. Mineral nutrient content and quality were affected by genotype, soil type, and P treatment concentration (p < 0.001). In limestone soil, for Longzhong and Trifecta, the optimal potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) contents as well as crude protein content (CP) and ether extract (EE) values were observed at 20 mg P kg−1, that of the P content was observed at 40 mg P kg−1, and the minimum neutral detergent fibre (NDF) acid detergent lignin (ADL) values were observed at 40 mg P kg−1. In yellow soil, the maximum K, Ca, Mg, and P contents in Longzhong and Trifecta were observed at 40 mg P kg−1, whereas the maximum CP, EE, and ADL values were observed at 20 mg P kg−1. Our study provides an empirically based framework for optimising alfalfa fertilisation programmes in acidic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) can fix N naturally within soils, which makes alfalfa cultivation useful for enhancing soil fertility while minimizing environmental impacts from pesticides, fertilizers, and soil pollution. To assess the influence of alfalfa cropping on degraded black soil, we determined the nutrient stoichiometry of the soil and soil microbial biomass under four corn cultivation systems at the Harbin Corn Demonstration Base (Heilongjiang, China), which is located in Wujia (126°23′ E, 45°31′ N), Shuangcheng district, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. The cultivation systems included continuous corn cultivation for more than 30 years (CK), 2 years of alfalfa–corn rotation (AC), three years of alfalfa cropping (TA), and four years of alfalfa cropping (FA). Overall, AC, TA, and FA treatment increased the soil pH, reduced the soil salinity, and increased the organic matter content of the 0–15 cm soil layer. TA and FA presented soil nutrient levels comparable to those of degraded cornfields that were fertilized annually. The TA and FA treatments increased the soil available N:P, soil N:P, and soil C:P ratios. Moreover, TA significantly increased the soil microbial biomass P (SMBP) in the 0–15 cm (surface) soil layer and reduced the soil microbial biomass C (SMBC):SMBP ratio. AC, TA, and FA increased the storage and mineralization rates of soil N and alleviated the microbial P limitations in degraded black soil farmland. Compared with FA, TA resulted in greater improvements in the quality of degraded black soil farmland. The ability of alfalfa to enhance soil fertility makes an important component of sustainable agricultural practices aimed at rehabilitating degraded soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gravid culicine mosquitoes rely on olfactory cues for selecting breeding sites containing organic detritus. While this capacity of the mosquitoes is used for surveillance and control, the current methodology is unwieldy, unreliable and expensive in time and labour. This study evaluated the dose-dependent attraction and oviposition response of gravid Culex quinquefasciatus to alfalfa infusions. Through combined chemical and electrophysiological analyses, bioactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace of alfalfa infusions, eliciting attraction, were identified. While phenolic and indolic compounds were the most abundant bioactive VOCs, additional VOCs, including a monoterpene, were required to elicit a significant behavioural response to the synthetic odour blend of alfalfa infusions. Comparative analysis with the commercially available mosquito oviposition pheromone (MOP) was also conducted demonstrating that this standardised synthetic alfalfa infusion odour blend offers a promising lure for targeted surveillance and control of Culex mosquitoes, which may contribute to disease prevention and public health protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JASMONATE ZIM domain (JAZ) proteins, inhibitors of the jasmonic acid (JA) signaling pathway, are identified in different plants, such as rice and Arabidopsis. These proteins are crucial for growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, limited information is available regarding the JAZ family in alfalfa. This study identified 11 JAZ genes (MsJAZs) in the "Zhongmu No.1" reference genome of alfalfa. The physical and chemical properties, chromosome localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, cis-acting elements, and collinearity of the 11 MsJAZ genes were subsequently analyzed. Tissue-specific analysis revealed distinct functions of different MsJAZ genes in growth and development. The expression patterns of MsJAZ genes under salt stress conditions were validated using qRT-PCR. All MsJAZ genes responded to salt stress, with varying levels of upregulation over time, highlighting their role in stress responses. Furthermore, heterogeneous expression of MsJAZ1 in Arabidopsis resulted in significantly lower seed germination and survival rates in OE-2 and OE-4 compared to the WT under 150 mM NaCl treatment. This study establishes a foundation for further exploration of the function of the JAZ family and provides significant insights into the genetic improvement of alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa species Medicago sativa L. (MS) and Medicago falcata L. (MF), globally prominent perennial leguminous forages, hold substantial economic value. However, our comprehension of the molecular mechanisms governing their resistance to cold stress remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we scrutinized and compared MS and MF cold-stress responses at the molecular level following 24 h and 120 h low-temperature exposure (4 °C). Our study revealed that MF had superior physiological resilience to cold stress compared with MS, and its morphology was healthier under cold stress, and its malondialdehyde content and superoxide dismutase activity increased, first, and then decreased, while the soluble sugar content continued to accumulate. Transcriptome analysis showed that after 120 h of exposure, there were different gene-expression patterns between MS and MF, including 1274 and 2983 genes that were continuously up-regulated, respectively, and a total of 923 genes were included, including star cold-resistant genes such as ICE1 and SIP1. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses revealed numerous inter-species differences in sustained cold-stress responses. Notably, MS-exclusive genes included a single transcription factor (TF) gene and several genes associated with a single DNA repair-related pathway, whereas MF-exclusive genes comprised nine TF genes and genes associated with 14 pathways. Both species exhibited high-level expression of genes encoding TFs belonging to AP2-EREBP, ARR-B, and bHLH TF families, indicating their potential roles in sustaining cold resistance in alfalfa-related species. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms governing cold-stress responses in MS and MF, which could inform breeding programs aimed at enhancing cold-stress resistance in alfalfa cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) ‐ grass or alfalfa ‐ sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) mixtures are commonly used for pastures in western Canada because of their high forage quality and their low risk of causing frothy bloat in grazing animals. However, the proportion of these two legumes declines in mixed forage stands over time. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selecting superior genotypes from clonally propagated alfalfa or sainfoin under plant competition in different growth environments. For this study, around 100 genotypes of each legume were cloned and transplanted into meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Relm.) or alfalfa swards at Saskatoon, SK and Lethbridge, AB, Canada in 2017. Genotype‐environment (G x E) interactions of alfalfa and sainfoin genotypes were analysed by an additive main‐effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) model. Significant variations in plant height, spring vigour and total dry matter yield (TDM) were observed for both species. Among the measured traits, plant height was a more highly heritable trait (H2 =.16 for alfalfa and H2 =.18 for sainfoin), while TDM was the least heritable (H2 =.08 for alfalfa and H2 =.04 for sainfoin). In the AMMI Analysis of variance for TDM, the genotype explained <12% of the variation for both species, suggesting a direct selection of yield would result in a low genetic gain. The biplot mean performance (Y) x weighted average of absolute scores from the singular value decomposition of the matrix of BLUPs stability index (WAASB) identified several promising genotypes with superior performance and stability across different environments that were selected for producing synthetic lines. However, the synthetic lines of both alfalfa and sainfoin did not consistently exhibit superior performance in mixtures compared to their respective check cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of phosphorus fertilization on the yield and quality of various alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties grown in light chestnut soils. Conducted over a three-year period from 2013 to 2015, the research was carried out in the Karasay district of the Almaty region under irrigated conditions. The experiment included six alfalfa varieties: NS Alfa, VS Banat, Mediana, Nera, Niagara, and Kokoray. Four phosphorus treatments were applied: control (no phosphorus), 60 kg/ha (P60), 90 kg/ha (P90), and 120 kg/ha (P120), using double superphosphate as the phosphorus source. The results demonstrated that phosphorus fertilization significantly enhanced both the yield and quality of alfalfa. Across all varieties, the highest yield was observed with the application of 120 kg/ha phosphorus. For instance, NS Alfa's yield increased from 283.3 c/ha in the control to 349.7 c/ha with P120, reflecting a 23% increase. Similarly, VS Banat and Mediana exhibited yield increases of 23% and 25%, respectively, at the highest phosphorus level. The study also revealed improvements in the nutritional quality of alfalfa hay. Crude protein content increased from 20.3% to 22.0% in NS Alfa, while digestible protein content rose from 11.20% to 12.40%. Other quality parameters, including fat and carotene content, also improved significantly with higher phosphorus levels. Moreover, the availability of nitrate nitrogen and mobile phosphorus in the soil increased progressively with higher phosphorus application rates, contributing to better nutrient uptake and overall plant health. This research underscores the importance of phosphorus fertilization in maximizing alfalfa yield and quality. The findings suggest that the optimal phosphorus application rate for enhancing alfalfa production in light chestnut soils is 120 kg/ha, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices in similar agro-ecological zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Variation in forage composition decreases the accuracy of diets delivered to dairy cows. However, variability of forages can be managed using a renewal reward model (RRM) and genetic algorithm (GA) to optimize sampling and monitoring practices for farm conditions. Specifically, use of quality control charts to monitor forage composition can identify changes in composition for which adjustment in the formulated diet will result in a better match of the nutrients delivered to cows. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess the use of a clustering algorithm to estimate the mean time (d) the process is stable or in control (T Stable) and the magnitude of the change in forage composition between stable periods (Δ Forage) for corn silage and alfalfa-grass silage, which are input parameters for the RRM; (2) to compare optimized farm-specific sampling practices (number of samples, sampling interval, and control limits [Δ Limit ]) using previously proposed defaults and our estimates for the T Stable and Δ Forage input parameters; and (3) to conduct a simulation study to compare the number of recommended diet changes under the proposed sampling and monitoring protocols. We estimated the T Stable and Δ Forage parameters for corn silage NDF and starch and alfalfa-grass silage NDF and CP using a k-means clustering approach applied to forage samples collected from 8 farms, 3×/wk during a 16-wk period. We compared 4 sampling and monitoring protocols that resulted from the 2 methods for estimating T Stable and Δ Forage (default values and our proposed method) and either optimizing only the control limit or optimizing the control limits, the number of samples, and the number of days between sampling. We simulated the outcomes of implementing the optimized monitoring protocols using a quality control chart for corn silage and alfalfa-grass silage of each farm. Estimates of T ^ S t a b l e and Δ ^ F o r a g e from the k-means clustering analysis were, respectively, shorter and larger than previously proposed default values. In the simulated quality control monitoring, larger Δ ^ F o r a g e estimates increased the optimized Δ Limit , resulting in fewer detected shifts in composition of forages, a lower frequency of false alarms, and a lower quality control cost ($/d). Recommended diet reformulation intervals from the simulated quality control analysis were specific for the type of forage and farm management practices. The median of the diet reformulation intervals for all farms using our optimal protocols was 14 d (quartile [Q] 1 = 8, Q 3 = 26) for corn silage and 16 d (Q 1 = 8, Q 3 = 26) for alfalfa-grass silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three bacteria strains of Pseudomonas sp. resistant to heavy metals were isolated from chemically contaminated soil. An analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the 16S rRNA and rpoD genes identified the Pseudomonas sp. 17 НМ strain as Pseudomonas capeferrum, and the strains of Pseudomonas sp. 65 НМ and 67 НМ were most closely related to the type strains of Pseudomonas silesiensis and Pseudomonas umsongensis, respectively. It was shown that the strains of Pseudomonas sp. 17 НМ, 65 НМ, and 67 НМ were characterized by different levels of resistance to heavy metals, with the maximum tolerable concentration (MTC) of zinc being 1 mМ for all strains, that of cadmium, 1, 1.5, and 1 mМ; of lead, 5, 5, and 4 mМ; and of nickel, 7, 9, and 7 mМ, respectively. All Pseudomonas strains can form biofilms and have the properties of PGPR bacteria. Treatment of alfalfa seeds (Medicago sativa L.) with the strains of Pseudomonas sp. 17 НМ, 65 НМ, and 67 НМ under cadmium stress increased the dry weight of alfalfa seedlings up to 40% and the content of chlorophyll a and b in the leaves by 25–33% relative to the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wheat flour-alfalfa blends containing 5 and 10 g/100 g of non-germinated and germinated alfalfa flour were examined in terms of nutritional composition (protein, lipid, starch, total dietary fibre), mineral profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (ABTS, FRAP), and Mixolab rheological properties while the corresponding standard and sourdough breads were evaluated regarding physical and textural characteristics (specific volume, hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness). The alfalfa flour inclusion resulted in increased protein (11.64–14.87%) and total dietary fibre (1.65–5.82%) contents in all blends, regardless of the alfalfa flour type but in a higher extent with 10 g/100 g inclusion level. Blends were characterised by improved mineral profile, total phenolic content (37.57–162.35 mg GAE/100 g) and antioxidant properties (ABTS: 4.37–232.79 µmol TE/100 g, FRAP: 138.05–539.16 µmol TE/100 g) particularly when non-germinated alfalfa flour in quantity of 10 g/100 g was used. Dough rheological properties were not significantly affected by the alfalfa flour type, whilst higher alfalfa flour inclusion level prolonged dough development time. Increased specific volume (2.63–3.62 cm3/g) with decreased crumb hardness (3.82–1.68 N) was recorded upon alfalfa flour incorporation and was more pronounced for sourdough bread. Overall nutrient composition of blends and technological features of the resulting breads were enhanced by alfalfa flour addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinity represents a fatal factor affecting the productivity of alfalfa. But the regulation of salinity tolerance via lncRNAs and mRNAs remains largely unclear within alfalfa. For evaluating salinity stress resistance-related lncRNAs and mRNAs within alfalfa, we analyzed root transcriptomics in two alfalfa varieties, GN5 (salinity-tolerant) and GN3 (salinity-sensitive), after treatments with NaCl at 0 and 150 mM. There were altogether 117,677 lncRNAs and 172,986 mRNAs detected, including 1,466 lncRNAs and 2,288 mRNAs with significant differential expression in GN5150/GN50, GN3150/GN30, GN50/GN30, and GN5150/GN3150. As revealed by GO as well as KEGG enrichment, some ionic and osmotic stress-associated genes, such as HPCA1-LRR, PP2C60, PP2C71, CRK1, APX3, HXK2, BAG6, and ARF1, had up-regulated levels in GN5 compared with in GN3. In addition, NaCl treatment markedly decreased CNGC1 expression in GN5. According to co-expressed network analyses, six lncRNAs (TCONS_00113549, TCONS_00399794, TCONS_00297228, TCONS_00004647, TCONS_00033214 and TCONS_00285177) modulated 66 genes including ARF1, BAG6, PP2C71, and CNGC1 in alfalfa roots, suggesting that these nine genes and six lncRNAs probably facilitated the different salinity resistance in GN5 vs. GN3. These results shed more lights on molecular mechanisms underlying genotype difference in salinity tolerance among alfalfas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intercropping and soil properties both affect soil diazotrophic communities. However, the specific effects that alfalfa-maize intercropping has on diazotrophic networks and community diversity under different soil properties remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we investigated the soil diazotrophic communities of two crop systems, alfalfa monoculture (AA) and alfalfa-maize intercropping (A/M), in two sites with similar climates but different soil properties (poor vs. average). Results and discussion: The diazotrophic network complexity and community diversity were higher at the site with poor soil than at the site with average soil (p < 0.05). Community structure also varied significantly between the sites with poor and average soil (p < 0.05). This divergence was mainly due to the differences in soil nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon contents between the two sites. At the site with poor soil, the A/M system had lower diazotrophic diversity, lower network complexity and greater competition between diazotrophs than the AA system (p < 0.05) because intercropping intensified the soil phosphorus limitation under poor soil conditions. However, in the average soil, it was the A/Msystemthat had an altered diazotrophic structure, with an increased abundance of 11 bacterial genera and a decreased abundance of three bacterial genera (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that the effects of alfalfa-maize intercropping on diazotrophic communities were soil property-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants are commonly used in silage production, yet their effects on silage containing antimicrobial components, such as those found in Leonurus japonicus, remain less explored. Herein, the harvested alfalfa were thoroughly mixed with dried Leonurus japonicus Houtt. (LJH) at a ratio of 9:1 on a fresh weight basis and treated without (CK) or with a lactic acid bacterial inoculant (L; Lentilactobacillus buchneri). The mixtures were stored under anaerobic conditions in vacuum-sealed polyethylene bags for 30 days at ambient temperature. The L-treated silage exhibited high levels of water-soluble carbohydrates (4.98% dry matter (DM)) and acid detergent fiber (27.88% DM). Compared to that of treatment CK, treatment with L increased the acetic acid content of the silage, as a result of increased (p < 0.05) bacterial dominance and decreased (p < 0.05) bacterial richness indices (e.g., Pielou's E, Shannon, and Simpson) in the pre-storage period. However, these changes gradually reduced as the storage length increased. Treatment L reshaped the bacterial community structure of silage, by increasing the prevalence of Lactobacillus and reducing relative abundances of Enterococcus and Weissella. However, the principal coordinate and Bray–Curtis index analyses illustrated that samples from the L-treated silages exhibited similarities to the CK samples post-fermentation. Overall, the effect of LJH on LAB was only observed in the later stages of fermentation, which did not sufficiently change the silage quality. Hence, using LJH in silage is vital for clean livestock production without compromising the function of LAB when mixed with alfalfa silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The effects of Spanish alfalfa replacing American alfalfa on performance, serum biochemical indexes and rumen microflora of East Friesian and Hu sheep crossbreed first-generation dairy sheep (DHF1) were studied. [Method] Forty-eight DHF1 sheep (second parity and second lactation month) were randomly divided into two groups, with 6 replicates in each group and 4 sheep in each replicate. After 15 days of pre-feeding, the formal experiment was conducted for 45 days. During the trial period, the two groups of sheep were fed on silage corn and pellet feed (alfalfa, oat and concentrate) with the same ingredients except for different alfalfa types.The feed intake and residual feed were recorded every day, and milk yields by machine at 10:00 and 18:00 every day were measured during the experimental period. On days 15, 30 and 45 of the trial period, small amounts of milk samples were taken to determine routine nutritional components (milk fat, milk protein, lactose and non-fat solids). On day 45 of the trial period, 10 mL blood was taken from jugular vein to determine serum biochemical indexes (total protein, albumin, globulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, blood sugar, malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activity and total antioxidant capacity). Rumen fluid of dairy sheep from each group was collected by rumen fluid collection tube on day 45 of the trial period, and rumen microflora was analyzed by 16S rDNA.Finally, economic benefits of the two experimental groups were analyzed. [Result] There was no significant difference in milk yield between the two groups on days 15, 30 and 45 (P>0.05). On day 30 of the trial period, the fat of dairy sheep in Spanish alfalfa group was significantly higher than that in American alfalfa group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference among other indexes (P>0.05). The content of total protein in serum of Spanish alfalfa group was significantly higher than that of American alfalfa group (P<0.05). Chao1 index, Shannon index and Shannon/Simpson index of rumen microorganisms in Spanish alfalfa group were significantly higher than those in American alfalfa group (P<0.05), Simpson index was not significantly different from that in American alfalfa group (P>0.05), and coverage was significantly lower than that in American alfalfa group (P<0.05). The dominant bacteria in rumen of test sheep in the two groups were Firmicutes and Bacteroides, and the relative abunclance of Proteus in rumen of the American alfalfa group was significantly higher than that of the Spanish alfalfa group (P<0.01). At the genus level, there was no significant difference in the relative abundance of each genus in rumen between the two groups (P>0.05). The daily economic benefit of dairy sheep in Spanish alfalfa group was slightly higher than that in American alfalfa group. [Conclusion] Spanish alfalfa instead of American alfalfa has no negative effect on performance, serum biochemical indexes and rumen health of dairy sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Conditioning is an important step in harvesting alfalfa hay, as squeezing and bending alfalfa stems can break down the stem fibers and accelerate the drying rate of alfalfa. The quality of alfalfa hay is directly affected by the conditioning effect. The finite element method (FEM) can quantitatively analyze the interaction relationship between alfalfa and conditioning rollers, which is of great significance for improving conditioning effects and optimizing conditioning systems. The accuracy of material engineering parameters directly affects the simulation results. Due to the small diameter and thin stem wall of alfalfa, some of its material parameters are difficult to measure or have low measurement accuracy. Based on this background, this study proposed a method for calibrating the finite element parameters of thin-walled plant stems. By conducting radial tensile, shear, bending, and radial compression tests on alfalfa stems and combining with the constitutive relationship of the material, the range of engineering parameters for the stems was preliminarily obtained. By conducting a Plackett–Burman experiment, the parameters that affect the maximum shearing force of stems were determined, including Poisson's ratio in the isotropic plane, radial elastic modulus, and the sliding friction coefficient between the alfalfa stem and steel plate. By conducting the steepest ascent experiment and Box–Behnken experiment, the optimal values of Poisson's ratio, radial elastic modulus, and sliding friction coefficient were obtained to be 0.42, 28.66 MPa, and 0.60, respectively. Finally, the double-shear experiment, radial compression experiment, and conditioning experiment were used to evaluate the accuracy of the parameters. The results showed that the average relative error between the maximum shear and the measured value was 0.88%, and the average relative error between the maximum radial contact force and the measured value was 2.13%. In the conditioning experiment, the load curve showed the same trend as the measured curve, and the simulation results could demonstrate the stress process and failure mode of alfalfa stems. The modeling and calibration method can effectively predict the stress and failure of alfalfa during conditioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouted seeds and microgreens are emerging as innovative specialty raw salad crops, valued for their health-promoting properties. However, the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with microbial contamination in microgreens underscores the need for effective sanitization in their production. This study explores using hydrolates, by-products of essential oil distillation from six plants, as natural sanitizers in alfalfa microgreen production. The research investigates their impact on seed germination, antimicrobial activity, and sensory attributes. Results revealed that oregano, fennel, lavender, and lemon catmint hydrolates decrease alfalfa seed germination, while peppermint and hop hydrolates have no significant impact. Peppermint and fennel hydrolates demonstrate notable efficacy in antimicrobial testing. Sensory analysis indicates differences in odour and flavour, with peppermint, oregano, and lavender receiving high scores. According to the results, peppermint hydrolate can be considered a favourable option for alfalfa micro sprout production, contributing to sustainable and organic approaches in urban agriculture and underlining the importance of natural sanitizers for food safety. Highlights: Micro sprouts are prevalent raw salad crops with functional properties. Alfalfa sprouting was done in water or six selected hydrolates during 10 days. Peppermint, oregano, fennel, hop, lavender and lemon catmint hydrolates were used. Peppermint hydrolate showed the highest antimicrobial and sensory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]