PERROTIS COLLEGE

AMERICAN FARM SCHOOL, THESSALONIKI, GREECE (Degrees validated b CARDIFF METROPOLITAN !NI"ERSIT#, !K$

Module title: %IOMETR# Module code: Module Leader: Dr& At'a(asi)s Gertsis Module instructor: Dr& "asilei)s ")*i+is Student name: Ese(ia De,ia( Module Level: Semester: . / Fall 012340125 Submission date: Research Project (100% of final grade-ma !ords"#000$ - %ord count: 0657

Title: Correlation between soil pH and plant development of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L)

Table of Contents
&able of 'ontents((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((() Summar* ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((+ ,ntroduction ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((+ Plant botan* descri-tion(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((+ 'ro- re.uirements((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((/ So!ing methods0 de-th0 time and rate(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1 Pests and diseases((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1 2arvest(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((3 %orld!ide -roduction(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((3 4sage((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((5 6arieties(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((10 Stud* area ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((11 Location(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((11 'limate(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((11 7bjective(s$ (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1) Materials and Methods(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1) Results: ((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1# Statistical evaluation of -roject((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1+ 8iscussions:(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((19 Major 'onclusions: (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((19 References (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((1/ :--endi 1((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()0 :--endi )((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()1 :--endi #((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()) :--endi +((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()# :--endi 9((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()+ :--endi /((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((()9

Page 0 of 0.

Declaration of plagiarism: I certify that this assignment is a result of my own work and it has not been submitted in whole or major parts of it in any other module. All sources have been acknowledged. Student: ;senia 8emian Signature:

Page 3 of 0.

Summary
Alfalfa is one of the most useful and widely grown hay crops in the world, known from era of the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, its yields and quality of production are affected by different factors such as deficiency of one or more crop requirements, outbreak of diseases or/and pests, place and climate where it is sown. or this pro!ect we chose to analy"e and find if there is any correlation between soil acidity and plant development. #he e$periment was conducted on a field from %erpeni, Republic of &oldova. #he soil samples were brought at the 'errotis (ollege laboratory and analy"ed their acidity. )ata that resulted from our statistical analysis showed and proved our hypothesis that there is a high correlation between soil pH and plant development.

Introduction
*itrogen fertili"ation, organic matter decay, leaching, rainfall, and harvest of crops are the main factors of soil pH declines. &ost favorable pH for plant growth differs with crop species and with soil physical and chemical properties. +enefits of sustaining appropriate soil pH for crop production by spreading lime consist of, improved * fi$ation by legumes, improved availability of essential nutrients -e.g., ', &o, and (a., increased percent base saturation, and reduced solubility of to$ic elements -e.g., Al and &n. -(addel, /. 0., 1hang, H., and 2ise, 3. 4556.. or this pro!ect we chose alfalfa crop as it is widely adapted and probably the most popular forage legume for hay and being also used in pasture for gra"ing. (addel and his coauthors stated in their work that decreased yields, shorten stand life of the crop, and reduced alfalfa competitiveness against weeds are the effects of low soil pH and nutrient deficiencies in acid soils. Alfalfa harvested as hay removes larger quantities of nutrients -see the Appendi$ 7., from soil than most other forage crops and corps harvested for grain -(addel, /. 0., 1hang, H., and 2ise, 3. 4556..

Plant botany description

Alfalfa generally grows four to eight years8 however it can grow more than 45 years, depending on variety and climate -Alfalfa 4579.. #he plant matures to a height of up to 7 meter, and has a deep root system of two to four meters, sometimes e$tending more than 7: m -Alfalfa

Page 5 of 0.

4579.. #he deep root system makes the plant to be very resistant, especially to droughts and frost. Alfalfa is a ;glabrous plant with alternate trifoliate leaves8 leaflets, 95 mm, narrowly obovate, toothed in upper third with a mucronate tip8 stipules linear<lanceolate, usually serrate= - rame /. 4579.. Alfalfa seedling grows slowly because it emerges from a very small seed -appro$imately 655 seeds per gram. -0oo (h. et. all. 4579.. However after some months of establishment, alfalfa creates a strong >crown> at the top of the root system. #his crown has many shoot buds that allows alfalfa to regrow many times after being gra"ed or mowed -Alfalfa 4579.. &oreover, ;crown is the central source of stems produced after defoliation8 a$illary buds above ground develop into branches. ?nflorescences are compact racemes up to 65 mm, borne in a$ils of upper leaves8 purple florets, @ mm, typically papilionacious. %eed pods spirally coiled, glabrous or pubescent8 pods turn from green to brown as they mature, and hold 4<: kidney< shaped, yellow or brown seeds= - rame /. 4579.. ?n the Appendi$ 4 it is shown the plant development within 95 days.

Alfalfa is a plant that e$hibits autoto$icity. Autoto$icity happens when established plants produce to$ins -medicarpin.8 and these growth to$ins of new are decreasing plants. establishment alfalfa

Autoto$icity may happen when alfalfa is replanted into

Page . of 0.

an old alfalfa field rather than being rotated, or when alfalfa is sown into an e$isting alfalfa plot to thicken it -+agg /. 4557.. or that reason, alfalfa fields are suggested to be interchanged with other species -for e$ample, wheat or corn. before reseeding -/ennings /. 4579.. ?n the Appendi$ 9 is presented the difference between normal plant and the dwarf plant affected by to$ins.

Crop re uirements
For soil

Alfalfa grows better on well<drained soils with high levels of fertility and a neutral pH of A.@ B C.: -(addel, /. 0., 1hang, H., and 2ise, 3. 4556.. ?t is moderately sensitive to salt levels in both the soil and irrigation water -0ory /. A., 3allenbach R. and Roberts (. 45558 Husman %.H. 4579.. %oils that are low in fertility have to be enriched with compost, manure or a chemical fertili"er, but the most important thing is the correction of pH -Rehm G., %chmitt &. D &unter R. 4555.. ?f the soil is wet or flooded for a long time it creates conditions suitable for diseases. ?n addition to this, the soil has to be deep enough for an adequate water<holding capacity -Endersander, ). et. all 4577..
For water

Having a deep tap<root system alfalfa is an efficient user of water supply. However, the amount of water needed for the plant varies depending on the season and crop type. Alfalfa varieties suited to warm temperate regions are more efficient water users than the cold<tolerant types - rame /. 4579..
For temperature

An optimum temperature for seedling growth is 4C5 (, for root development is 47<4:5 (. Higher temperatures reduce forage digestibility and lower than 75 5 ( temperatures make the plant to harden and go dormant - rame /. 4579..
For nutrients

Adequate levels of nutrients will increase the seedling establishment by encouraging root development. ;0ime is the single greatest important fertility preoccupation for establishing and maintaining high yielding, high quality alfalfa stands= -Endersander, ). et. all 4577.. ?t should be applied into the soil 74 months before sowing, because it reacts very slowly with soil acids. Fther main nutrients that improve stand establishment, stand survival and yield of alfalfa are, 'hosphorus, 'otassium, %ulfur -converted as sulfate. and *itrogen -Endersander, ). et. all 45778 0issbrant %. et. all. 4579.. #he nutrient level should be maintained at a level of, 3 < 5.9 m. equiv./755g8 ' < 4: mg/kg, % < 75 mg/kg. +oron and &olybdenum also should be applied,

Page - of 0.

because their deficiency affects young tissue growth -+., and reduces the functioning of the nitrogenase en"yme in the *<fi$ation process -&o. - rame /. 4579.. A great source of macro and micro nutrients needed by alfalfa is manure. ?t should be applied before seeding at a rate not more than C tons/acre as solid manure -Endersander, ). et. all 4577..

Sowing met!ods" dept!" time and rate

#he seed is generally drilled after conventional seedbed cultivations8 however the seed can also be spread and covered with a light but firm soil of 75<7: mm - rame /. 4579.. #he best time for alfalfa seeding is spring due to the temperature and moisture conditions that are useful in seeds germination and have a good efficiency of Rhizobium action. However, it can be sown in autumn, as long as there is enough time for the plants to grow in order to withstand winter cold and possible frost of the soil. - rame /. 4579.. Generally are recommended to use 79 B 45 kg of seeds per hectare as seeding rate, however this rate may be different based upon region, soil type, and seeding method -Rankin &. 4579.. ?n order to decrease weed problems and soil erosion alfalfa seeds are sown with a companion crop such as smooth brome grass -Bromus inermis., meadow fescue -Festuca pretense., cocksfoot -Dactylis glomerata. or reed canary grass -Phalaris arundinacea.. ?n some cases these grasses are replaced with barley -Hordeum vulgare., oat -Avena sativa. or wheat -Triticum spp... #he seeding rate of these grasses should be 4<6 kg/ha in order not to create competition for light, water, and nutrients -)i$on '. et. all. 455:8 rame /. 4579..

Pests and diseases

0ike many other crops, alfalfa is e$posed to pests, viruses and diseases. 0ots of diseases may attack the crop from the seedling to the seeding stages and might in!ure both foliage and roots. #he diseases can strike independently or in combination and from time to time may appear in comple$es with other pathogens and pests - rame /. 4579.. 'ests may invade alfalfa field and produce damages at all stages of growth and development of the plant. ?n!ured plant parts might also be the central point for fungal or bacterial outbreak moreover8 some pests are carriers of plant viruses. #hese damages are often covert and insidious but might also be highly visible and devastating leading to plant death and loss of yield - rame /. 4579.. A detailed list of most known alfalfa pests and diseases are showed in the Appendi$ 6 and :.

Page 7 of 0.

#here are different management strategies that might be implemented to avoid or decrease disease infestation and its effects. #he most important strategy is the maintenance of high soil pH and fertility required for strong stand growth and development. Fther strategies include, ;optimal cutting frequency, intensity and timing with respect to the region and utili"ation aims8 appropriate weed, disease and pest control8 prevention of physical and biotic stresses as much as possible8 rotation with arable crops= - rame /. 4579..

Harvest
?n most climates and due to its variety, alfalfa is harvested three to four times a year, but it can be mowed up to 74 times per year in Ari"ona and southern (alifornia. #otal yields are usually around eight tons per hectare in temperate locations8 however yields have been recorded up to 45 t/ha -2iersma ). et. all. 455C.. 2eather, different locations, and the crop>s stage of maturity when cut, directly influence the alfalfa yields. ?f the alfalfa is cut at a later stage of maturity it improves the yield, but has a reduced nutritional content -%hewmaker G. G. et. all. 4579..

#orldwide production
?n 455H, alfalfa was produced on appro$imately 95 million hectares worldwide, E% being the largest alfalfa producer in the world by area with H million hectares followed by Argentina -A.H million hectares., (anada -4 million hectares. and Russia -7.@ million hectares. -(ash ). D Iuegao H. 455H..

Page 6 of 0.

$sage
Alfalfa is very often mowed and harvested as hay, but may also be prepared into silage, gra"ed, or fed as green chop -(ertified Alfalfa %eed (ouncil ?nc. 4579.. #he alfalfa field is not recommended to be used as pasture because it may provoke bloating in livestock -'lantde$ 4579.. Alfalfa is considered ;3ing of odders= due to its high nutritional value -see the Appendi$ A.. ?t is used as food for high<producing dairy cows, beef cattle, -(alifornia Alfalfa 45798 /ennings /. 4579.. horses, sheep, and goats

;Alf alfa hay is the most e$tensively used fiber source in rabbit diets. ?t is also applied in poultry diets for pigmenting eggs and meat, due to their high content in carotenoids, which are effective for coloring egg yolk and body lipids= -Heu"e J. et. all. 4579.. Humans also eat alfalfa sprouts in salads and sandwiches -&ueller %h. (. et. all. 455@.. )ried out alfalfa leaf is commercially offered as a nutritional supplement in quite a few forms, such as tablets, powders and tea

Page 8 of 0.

-&edline 'lus 4579.. ?ndirectly, alfalfa is a source of honey, because bees gather substantial quantities of nectar from alfalfa flowers.

%arieties
Flder varieties have been used for many decades8 however in the last few years appeared many better public and private varieties that are better adapted to particular climates -Rhodes 0. H., Enderwood /. . D Henderlong '.R.4579.. &ost varieties go dormant in the fall, this meaning that they have a reduced growth due to low temperatures and shorter days. >*ondormant> varieties that grow through the winter are cultivated in long<seasoned locations such as &e$ico, Ari"ona, and %outhern (alifornia, while >dormant> varieties are cultivated in the Epper &idwest, (anada, and the *ortheast. >*ondormant> varieties can be higher<yielding, but they are vulnerable to winter<kill in cold climates and have poorer persistence -(ash )., )itterline R. D )unn R. 7HH9.. %ignificant research and development has been done with this vital plant over the last decades. &ost of the improvements in alfalfa have consisted of better disease resistance on poorly drained soils in wet areas, better resistant ability to cold temperature in cold climates, and the production of more leaves per plant. &ultileaf alfalfa varieties have more than three leaflets per leaf, giving them larger nutritional content by weight because there is more leafy matter for the same amount of stem -(ash )., )itterline R. D )unn R. 7HH9..

Page 21 of 0.

Study area
Location
As the study area we chose an alfalfa field which is situated in the south part and 75 meters above sea level in the village %erpeni, Republic of &oldova. #he coordinates of the field are 6C.574@K* and 4H.9:7@KG -%tott /. 4579.. ?t is also situated appro$imately 7755 meters away from the )niester River.

Climate
#he climate in the village is the same as the countryLs climate8 the only difference is the 4<9 degrees of temperature and the rates of precipitation that vary from the north and south part of the country. Ftherwise in the region we also have temperate continental climate with the four seasons of the year which are clearly set. 2e have mild short winters and long hot summers with many sunny days. #he atmospheric air circulation is described by the predominance of the western warm and sometimes very humid air masses from the Atlantic -2orld 2eather and (limate ?nformation 4579.. 2arm and humid air masses from the &editerranean come to &oldova bringing with them abundant rainfall. ;#he dry temperate continental air from the Gastern and %outh<Gastern parts of the Gastern Guropean 'lain causes drought and the cold Arctic air causing dramatic weather changes. #here are 45A5B49A5 hours of sunshine per year in &oldova8 temperatures above free"ing are registered 7A5B455 days per year8 and precipitation ranges between 9C5 and :A5 mm/year and more than 75M falls as snow, which might melt several times during winter= -2orld 2eather and (limate ?nformation 4579..

Page 22 of 0.

&b'ective(s)
#he ob!ective of this paper is to find if there is any correlation between soil pH and plant development of alfalfa. ?t also proposes some treatments if there is any relation between soil acidity and plant development.

Materials and Met!ods

#he e$periment was conducted on a field of (herno"em soil -soil with lumpy or granular structure, high natural fertility, intensive and high humification, about 7:M content in the upper layers of humus. with a mean initial pH ranging from :.H to C.6 #he field was divided into a grid of :5$74 meters from where were collected 76 soil samples consisting of 7: cm. %oil samples were brought at the 'errotis (ollege laboratory where further analysis was conducted. %oil samples were oven< dried at A:.:K( and ground to pass a 4<mm sieve. %oil pH was determined by using a pH meter and combination electrode in a 7,7 soil<to<water suspension. ?n order to find the correlation coefficient we used the statistical software /&' 'ro 75.

Page 20 of 0.

(esults)
%oil pH C.9 C.9 C.9 C.6 C.6 C.4 C.9 C.9 A.: A.: A.@ :.H :.H A 'lant height in cm 4: 46.: 46.: 4: 4: 47 49 49 7H 7H 45 7C 7C 7C.: #able 7

?n the table above, you can see all the collected data, from the soil analysis and plant height. Gach number represents pH of the soil and the plant height in centimeters. +y careful observation you can notice that where the pH is higher the plant is higher.

Page 23 of 0.

Statistical evaluation of pro'ect

Bivariate Fit of pH by plant height in cm

Linear Fit
pH N 9.5C6:9H O 5.7CA:A5APplant height in cm

Summary of Fit
R%quare R%quare Ad! Root &ean %quare Grror &ean of Response Fbservations -or %um 2gts. 5.H5945A 5.@H:76 5.7H5CCA A.@A64@A 76

Analysis of Variance
Source &odel Grror (. #otal DF 7 74 79 Sum of Squares 6.5C:9HA: 5.69AC6A9 6.:74764H Mean Square 6.5C:65 5.59A65 F atio 777.HC:4 !rob " F Q.5557P

!arameter #stimates
$erm ?ntercept plant height in cm #stimate 9.5C6:9H 5.7CA:A5A St% #rror 5.9A7C6@ 5.57AA@: t atio @.:5 75.:@ !rob"&t& Q.5557P Q.5557P

'orrelation
Variable plant height in cm pH Mean 47.6A64H A.@A64@A St% Dev 9.7C77C 5.:@H764 'orrelation 5.H:59C4 Signif( !rob Q.5557P )umber 76

An important thing is the correlation between soil pH and plant development.

Page 25 of 0.

Discussions)
/ust having a simple look at the results we easily can observe the variance of plant height which is affected by the soil pH. Having the same look on the field we can see the difference that, where the soil pH is higher the plants are higher, healthier, having more stems of a dark green color. Fn the other edge of the field where the soil pH is lower, the plants are dwarf having few stems of a light green to yellow color. ?n order to have a deep analysis and confirm our hypothesis we run the statistical analysis on /&' 'ro 75 software . #he results showed above confirm our hypothesis that there is a high correlation between soil pH and plant development . As we can observe, the R %quare is relatively high and e$presses the H5M of the estimated correlation. Esing the bivariate normal ellipse of 'N5.H5, we found that the plant height and soil pH are highly correlated8 the correlation being represented by H:M.

Major Conclusions:
or this pro!ect we chose to analy"e and find if there is any correlation between soil acidity and plant development. #he e$periment was conducted on a field from %erpeni, Republic of &oldova. #he plant we chose is alfalfa, which is one of the most useful and widely grown hay crops in the world, known from era of the ancient Greeks and Romans. #he soil samples were brought at the 'errotis (ollege laboratory and analy"ed their acidity. )ata that resulted from our statistical analysis showed and proved our hypothesis that there is a high correlation between soil pH and plant development. #his information might be useful to farmers who observed any difference of plant development on their fields. As recommendation, we propose to analy"e the field and the spot where the pH is low should be applied amendments such as liming, because the lime can correct the acidity.

Page 2. of 0.

(eferences
7. Alfalfa 4579, Britannica Online Encyclopedia, +ritanica.com, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.britannica.com/G+checked/topic/76:H:/alfalfaR

4. +agg /. 4557, Al al a Autoto!icity" &inistry of Agriculture and ood, Fntario, Retrieved )ecember 59, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/field/autoto$.htmR

3. (addel, /. 0., 1hang, H., and 2ise, 3. 4556, Responses o al al a" red clover" and #hite clover to soil pH and lime treatments" orage and Gra"inglands, )ata viewed Fctober 4H, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/pub/fg/research/4556/treat/ R

4. (alifornia Alfalfa 4579, Premium $uality Al al a, Hay E%A ?nc., #e$as, E%A* Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.hayusa.net/alfalfa.htmlR

5. (ash ). D Iuegao H. 455H, Al al a %anagement &uide or 'ing!ia" (nited 'ations Food and Agriculture Organization" Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.fao.org/ag/agp/AG'(/doc/ning$iaSguide/chapter7.pdfR

6. (ash )., )itterline R. D )unn R. 7HH9, Al al a )ariety *election, &ontana %tate Eniversity G$tension, Retrieved *ovember 59, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//msue$tension.org/publications/Agand*aturalResources/&#7HH959AG.pdfR

7. (ertified Alfalfa %eed (ouncil ?nc. 4579, Al al a in the %outh, 2est Jirginia Eniversity, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.caf.wvu.edu/Tforage/library/forglvst/bulletins/salfalfa.pdfR

8. )i$on '. et. all. 455:, Establishing a *uccess ul Al al a +rop, &ontana %tate Eniversity G$tension, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//msue$tension.org/publications/Agand*aturalResources/&#455:56AG.pdfR

Page 2- of 0.

H.

rame /. 4579, %edicago sativa ,-" AF, Retrieved )ecember Qhttp,//www.fao.org/ag/agp/AG'(/doc/gbase/data/pf55596A.htmR

59,

4579,

ER0

10. Heu"e J. et. all. 4579, Alfalfa -&edicago sativa., eedipedia.org, ?*RA, (?RA), A 1 and AF, Retrieved *ovember 5:, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.feedipedia.org/node/4C:R 77. Husman %.H. 4579, &ro#ing Al al a or *eed in Arizona" Eniversity of Ari"ona (ollege of Agriculture, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//ag.ari"ona.edu/pubs/crops/a"774H.pdfR

12. /ennings /. 4579, Al al a or Dairy +attle" Eniversity of Arkansas, )ivision of Agriculture, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.uae$.edu/FtherSAreas/publications/') / %A< 6555.pdfR 79. /ennings /. 4579, (nderstanding Autoto!icity in Al al a" Eniversity of Arkansas (ooperative G$tension %ervice, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.uwe$.edu/ces/forage/wfc/proceedings4557/understandingSautoto$icitySinSalfalfa.ht mR

14. 0issbrant %. et. all. 4579, Phosphorus and Potassium Fertilization o Al al a , 'urdue Eniversity, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.e$tension.purdue.edu/e$tmedia/AI/AI<997< 2.pdfR 7:. 0ory /. A., 3allenbach R. and Roberts (. 4555, %anaging %anure on Al al a Hay" &issouri Eniversity G$tension, Retrieved *ovember 59, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//e$tension.missouri.edu/publications/)isplay'ub.asp$U'NG6:::R 7A. 0oo (h. et. all. 4579, ,ucerne .%edicago sativa/" )epartment of Agriculture and Government of 2estern Australia, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, Qhttp,//www.agric.wa.gov.au/ob!twr/importedSassets/content/past/lucerne.pdfR ood, ER0

17. &edline 'lus 4579, Al al a" 'atural %edicines +omprehensive Database" Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Q http,//www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/7H.htmlR 18. &ueller %h. (. et. all. 455@, Al al a or industrial and other uses, ?rrigated Alfalfa &anagement in &editerranean and )essert 1ones, (hapter 7H, Fakland, Eniversity of (alifornia, Agriculture and *atural Resources, 'ublication @95:, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/?rrigatedAlfalfa/pdfs/E(Alfalfa@95:?ndustrialSfree.pdfR

Page 27 of 0.

19. 'lantde$ 4579, Al al a .%edicago sativa/, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.plantde$.com/inde$.php/species<growing<guides/grasses/465<alfalfa<medicago< sativaR

20. Rankin &. 4579, Al al a seeding rates0 ho# much is too much1 Eniversity of 2isconsin G$tension, Retrieved *ovember 59, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.uwe$.edu/(G%/crops/Alf%eedingRate.htmR

21. Rehm G., %chmitt &. D &unter R. 4555, ertili"ing Alfalfa in Minnesota, +niversity of Minnesota #,tension* Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.e$tension.umn.edu/distribution/cropsystems/)(9@76.htmlR

22. Rhodes 0. H., Enderwood /. . D Henderlong '.R.4579, Al al a )ariety +haracteristics" Fhio %tate Eniversity G$tension, )epartment of Horticulture and (rop %cience, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Q http,//ohioline.osu.edu/agf<fact/5576.htmlR 49. %hewmaker G. G. et. all. 4579, Al al a2 the high34uality hay or horses" Eniversity of ?daho D Eniversity of 2isconsin, Retrieved *ovember 5:, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.alfalfa.org/pdf/Alfalfa M45forM45HorsesM45-lowM45res..pdfR

46. %tott /. 4579, Find elevation5 Height above sea level, %erpeni, Republic of &oldova, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.earthtools.org/R

4:. Endersander, ). et. all 4577, Al al a %anagement &uide" American %ociety of Agronomy, ?nc., (rop %cience %ociety of America, ?nc., and %oil %cience %ociety of America, ?nc., E.%.A., )ata viewed Fctober 4H, 4579, ER0 Q https,//www.agronomy.org/files/publications/alfalfa< management<guide.pdfR

4A. 2iersma ). et. all. 455C, The ,ong and *hort o Al al a +utting Height" Eniversity of 2isconsin< &adison G$tension, Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.uwe$.edu/ces/crops/uwforage/Alf(utHt.') R

Page 26 of 0.

4C. 2orld 2eather and (limate ?nformation 4579, Average #eather and climate in %oldova" Retrieved *ovember 5@, 4579, ER0 Qhttp,//www.weather<and<climate.com/average<monthly< Rainfall<#emperature<%unshine<in<&oldovaR

Page 28 of 0.

*ppendi+ ,
3ilograms of nutrient removed per ton of alfalfa produced, dry matter basis

Page 01 of 0.

*ppendi+ 'lant development within 95 days

Page 02 of 0.

*ppendi+ .
Gffect of autoto$icity on root development of alfalfa

Page 00 of 0.

*ppendi+ /
!rincipal %iseases of alfalfa an% causal agents
Disease +acterial leaf spot (ommon leaf spot Iellow leaf blotch *temphylium ,eptosphaerulina leaf spot )owny mildew %pring black stem Alternaria +acterial stem blight *tagonospora leaf spot Rust %ummer black stem %pring black stem Fusarium wilt )erticillium wilt +acterial wilt *clerotinia crown and stem rot Rhi"octonia Phytophthora root rot Anthracnose Fusarium root rot Aphanomyces root rot Agent 6anthomonas al al a Pseudopeziza medicaginis ,eptotrochila medicaginis *temphylium botryosum ,eptosphaerulina briosianna5tri olii Peronospora tri oliorum Phoma medicaginis var. medicaginis Alternaria solani Pseudomonas medicaginis or syringae *tagonospora meliloti (romyces striatus +ercospora medicaginis Phoma medicaginis Fusarium o!ysporum )erticillium albo3atrum +lavibacter michiganense subsp-insidiosum *clerotinia tri oliorum Rhizoctonia solani Phytophthora megasperma +olletotrichum tri olii Fusarium sppAphanomyces euteiches

Page 03 of 0.

*ppendi+ 0
Alfalfa pests
Foliage Alfalfa weevils -larvae. (aterpillars (utworms/army worms +lister beetles Aphids , %potted alfalfa 'ea +lue alfalfa (lover weevils Grasshoppers 0eafhoppers 'otato leafhoppers %pittlebugs -e.g. meadow. Roots/crowns *ematodes , Root knot Root lesion Alfalfa stem (lover<root curculio -larvae. %nout beetle -larvae. 0eather!ackets Seed pods Alfalfa seed chalcid -larvae. &irids Hypera spp. +olias eurythene Eu!oa au!iliaris Epicauta spp. Therioaphis maculata5tri olii Acyrthosiphon pisum Acyrthosiphon 7ondoi *itona spp. %elanophus spp. Agromyza rontella Empoacea abae Philaenus spumarius

%eloidogyne hapla Pratylenchus penetrans Ditylenchus dipsaci *itona hispidulus Otiorhynchus ligustici Tipula spp. Bruchophagus roddi ,ygus spp.

Page 05 of 0.

*ppendi+ 1
Alfalfa see%s* sproute%* raw
)utritional value per -.. g /0(1 o23

Gnergy HA k/ -49 kcal. (arbohydrates 4.7 g < )ietary fiber 7.H g at 5.C g 'rotein 6g #hiamine -vit. +7. 5.5CA mg -CM. Riboflavin -vit. +4. 5.74A mg -77M. *iacin -vit. +9. 5.6@7 mg -9M. 'antothenic acid -+:. 5.:A9 mg -77M. Jitamin +A 5.596 mg -9M. olate -vit. +H. 9A Vg -HM. Jitamin ( @.4 mg -75M. Jitamin 3 95.: Vg -4HM. (alcium 94 mg -9M. ?ron 5.HA mg -CM. &agnesium 4C mg -@M. &anganese 5.7@@ mg -HM. 'hosphorus C5 mg -75M. 'otassium CH mg -4M. %odium A mg -5M. 1inc 5.H4 mg -75M. 0ink to E%)A )atabase entry
'ercentages are roughly appro$imated

using E% recommendations for adults. %ource, E%)A *utrient )atabase

Page 0. of 0.