Abstract: Complex interactions of genetics and environment determine forage yield and quality of an alfalfa variety. Both quantity and quality of forage are influenced markedly by short and long-term environmental factors that characterize the area of usage. Location, management, growth stage, season, variety, and individual plant characteristics influence the interrelationships of yield and quality. This chapter presents comparisons in an attempt to assess progress inbreeding for improved forage yield of alfalfa. The comparisons indicate modest increases in yield potential of alfalfa varieties in the North Central Region of the USA. Alfalfa breeding to improve quality offers new opportunities for productive research, by eliminating (or reducing) the negative components affecting quality and by increasing those that have positive values to monogastric and ruminant animals.
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-10-26
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 25
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