Establishing a Multi-Environmental Alfalfa Evaluation Network for Climate Resilience & Variety Improvement

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is planted in 7 million hectares in the US and in 3.2 million hectares in Argentina. Climate change will have major impacts on adaptation of species to agricultural systems around the world. The ability of breeders to select for traits that impart adaptability to climate resilience and diverse management practices will be critical for the future of livestock production. The successful cultivation of alfalfa relies heavily on identifying varieties that can thrive in various environmental conditions. This introduces the need for a comprehensive approach to evaluate alfalfa varieties across multiple environments; the process of establishing a network for multi-environmental evaluation and underline its significance in advancing agricultural research and variety improvement. The aim is to improve adaptability, resilience to climate change, pest and disease resistance, nutritional content, and yield optimization.