Teaching Stand Management Using Virtual Alfalfa Plants

A ‘virtual’ alfalfa plant model was developed at the University of Manitoba in Canada as part of a comprehensive grazing research project. This model shows an alfalfa plant ‘growing’ on a computer screen and the plant’s response to grazing (similar to time-lapse photography). The original model was designed and constructed by Av Singh to show the research potential of visually modeling alfalfa plant growth. The ability to visually ‘grow’ a plant on a computer screen also provides an excellent teaching and extension tool.