Large portions of the Great Plains and the western U.S. are regularly plagued by drought and diminishing water resources for irrigation. Alfalfa cultivars adapted to these regions, and that can remain productive under reduced irrigation allotments, are clearly needed. This study evaluated the potential of using DNA marker assisted selection (MAS) technology to improve alfalfa forage productivit...

A study was conducted to investigate the response to supplemental tallow of lactating cows fed basal diets with different alfalfa silage:corn silage ratios. We postulated that supplemental tallow will have decreasing negative effects on rumen fermentation, dry matter intake (DMI), and milk fat percentage as the dietary ratio of alfalfa silage:corn silage is increased. Eighteen Holstein cows ave...

Air pollution is the most important environmental problem of last century that threatens the health of living organisms, especially plants. SO2 is one of the main air pollutants that can cause to imbalance in growth and physiological function of plant in high concentrations. Symbiosis of Rhizobium bacteria with alfalfa can cause increasing plant growth and plant resistance to abiotic stresses. ...

This study aimed to investigate the impact of storage time on bacterial community and fermentation profile silage prepared with alfalfa, whole-plant corn, their mixture. Fresh alfalfa corn were chopped combined in fresh weight ratios 1:0 (alfalfa, control), 0.8:0.2 (M1), 0.6:0.4 (M2), 0:1 (corn). Three silos each treatment analyzed after 30, 60, 90 d storage. With time, pH, acetic acid, propion...

The pathogenicity of two populations of the northern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne hapla Chitwood, population 1 (P1) from alfalfa and population 2 (P2) from sainfoin, was studied on both alfalfa and sainfoin for 25 weeks. Alfalfa and sainfoin plants inoculated with P2 had significantly (P </= 0.05) higher mortality than plants inoculated with P1. Plant stands over all weeks for the uninoculat...

Improved cropping systems are needed to reduce production inputs, increase production efficiency, protect water quality, and reduce soil erosion on furrow-irrigated land. Five field studies were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of producing cereal or corn (Zea Mays L.) without tillage following alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on furrow-irrigated land. The primary purposes of these studies wer...

Molting is a common practice used by the commercial egg industry to rejuvenate flocks for a second or third laying cycle. During this time the hens rest from production, and the reproductive organs are rejuvenated to increase production and quality during the next laying cycle. Although feed withdrawal (FW) is the most popular and effective method of molt induction, it has come under scrutiny d...

The effect of alfalfa seed flour supplementation on the quality characteristics of refined wheat flour-based biscuits was studied. The proximate composition of refined wheat flour and alfalfa seed flour was determined. Refined wheat flour contained 12.43% moisture, 11.52% crude protein, 1.61% crude fat, 0.71% crude fiber, 1.43% ash and 70.83% nitrogen free extract, while alfalfa seed flour cont...

OBJECTIVE To measure pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, and lactate concentrations in stomach contents and determine number and severity of gastric lesions in horses fed bromegrass hay and alfalfa hay-grain diets. ANIMALS Six 7-year-old horses. PROCEDURE A gastric cannula was inserted in each horse. Horses were fed each diet, using a randomized crossover design. Stomach contents ...