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Variety traits

Drought tolerance of alfalfa

Medicago sativa L.

A critical adaptive trait of alfalfa that determines the stability of green mass and seed yield, as well as stand longevity under moisture deficit conditions. It is evaluated using a drought sensitivity index and laboratory methods for simulating osmotic stress.

In the reference 20 varieties crop Alfalfa, where this is mentioned in the description.

To assess the drought tolerance of Medicago sativa, a field drought sensitivity index is used, calculated as the ratio of yield under stress conditions to potential productivity. In laboratory conditions, cultivar tolerance is determined by germinating seeds in sucrose solutions, where the key indicator is the maintenance of germination rates as the concentration of the osmotic agent increases.

Physiological evaluation includes monitoring the water-holding capacity of leaves and the status of the stomatal apparatus. Highly tolerant genotypes are characterized by minimal yield reduction during drought periods and a high capacity for regrowth after mowing.

Drought tolerance directly impacts the economic longevity of alfalfa stands by preventing stand thinning and plant loss. This trait also ensures stable seed productivity and maintains forage quality, preventing sharp changes in plant metabolism and the stem-to-leaf ratio.

General information about the subject — on the page Drought tolerance.

Sources8

Varieties of Alfalfa mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.

Franken neu

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SCHMIDT-GAMBAZZA| Hedwig Schmidt-Gambazza

AT DE FR PL
11 records

Verko

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

VEB Saat und Pflanzgut (DE)

DE FR HR HU PL SI
14 records

Artemis

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Barenbrug Holland BV (NL)

AT DE FR PL
11 records

Victoria

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Semillas Fito, E

EE ES
9 records

Gea

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

ROBERTO GUARNIERI

UA
8 records

Malvina

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras

LT UA
5 records

Luxor

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE, FR

FR GR
7 records

La Rocca

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SAATBAU LINZ EGEN

UA
4 records

La Torre

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Carlo Invernizzi

UA
4 records

NS Banat ZMS II

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops (SB)

BG
6 records

Cezara

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SCHITEA MARIAMARTURA TEODOR

RO
5 records

NS Jelena

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Institute of field and vegetable crops, Novi Sad, Serbia

BG
4 records

Lopaly

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

GIE GRASS (FR)

DE FR
5 records

Ypati 84

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

HAO-DEMETER-Fodder Crops and Pastures Institute

GR
4 records

Pleven 6

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Z. Angelov, A. Ibraimov

BG
4 records

Candela

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

CRIADERO EL CENCERRO

DE
4 records

Nicoleta

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SCHITEA MARIADRAGAN LENUTA

RO
4 records

Melissa

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

AGRI-OBTENTIONS

ES
4 records

Pr59n59

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL

IT
5 records

Mihaela

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SCHITEA MARIAMARTURA TEODORVARGA PAUL MIHAIL

RO
4 records

Constantina

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

SCHITEA MARIADRAGAN LENUTA

RO
4 records

Dolichi

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

HAO-DEMETER-Fodder Crops and Pastures Institute

GR
4 records

Rambler

Active

Medicago sativa L. · Alfalfa

Agriculture Canada (CA)

FR
2 records