Drought Stress and Water Use Efficiency (WUE) in Alfalfa

What is it about?

Drought is a global problem. The universe temperature rises in recent decade while soil water availability for plants shrinks significantly. Alfalfa is a major forage crop in United States frequently drought stress. Thus, developed as alfalfa cultivar with drought tolerance and water use efficient is time demand. Naturally adapted alfalfa in arid and semiarid regions can possess some molecular and physiological traits that helps them harsh water deficit condition. Evaluation of alfalfa collected from Grand River National Grassland is very important. Once we understand the mechanism, can used those selected mechanism to commercial germplasm to enhance their drought tolerance as well as water use efficiency.

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Why is it important?

Our findings for drought tolerance and water use efficient in alfalfa germplasm who are adapted to Midwestern United States under harsh environment will help future cultivar development. Dig out some potential mechanisms were our ultimate goal. We found interesting physiological trait that alfalfa used in natural arid environment to cope with water deficit condition. We screened out couple of germplasm who are not only drought tolerant as well as water use efficient. Our findings will help researcher as well as farmer/ranger in United States and whole world.

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