In this 3 year study, Berdahl et al. measured the survival and vigor of 11 alfalfa (Medicago spp.) cultivars intermixed with native species, in a North Dakota grassland, after heavy sheep grazing. The survival and vigor of alfalfa cultivars seemed to be related to the area in which the cultivars were developed, and those developed in South Dakota and Canada had greater survival and vigor than the other cultivars. The North Dakota developed cultivars were likely the best because they had been developed in the climate that they were tested in, and had also been developed with a previous history of grazing. This study indicates that several cultivars of alfalfa are likely suitable for one growing area, and in the future, genetic variations of these cultivars may be created that are more vigorous and have even greater survival in specific areas.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.