Breeder's Corner - alfalfa

Alfalfa is already an economically useful crop, but there is plenty more we can do to improve it.

23. 2. 2017

Selective breeding improves alfalfa's performance

Right now we are conducting a series of worldwide trials to learn more about the yield levels, disease resistance and winter hardiness of our existing portfolio – and to pave the way for new and improved varieties.

At our breeding centre in northern France we have recently invested in the well-known genepool from Florimond-Desprez. And in many countries across Europe we are conducting a range of national variety trials.

In our current programme, the main germ plasm comes from varieties with a dormancy score in the range 4 to 5. This is the most common type used across much of Central, Eastern and Northern Europe.

DLF breeding programme

Our breeding programme aims to raise performance in the following areas:

• Improve dry-matter yield
  
• Improve feeding quality
  • Raised protein content
  • Better digestibility
    
• Improve lodging resistance (standability)
  
• Strengthen robust triple resistance to:
  • Stem nematodes
  • Verticillium
  • Colletotrichum (anthracnose)

Some of the registered varieties

• SALSA, combines a top yield with nematode resistance
• FADO, provides top protein levels and good disease tolerance
• MEZZO, has a very high dry-matter yield and excellent standability
• LUDELIS, is a specialist for sub-optimal soil conditions
• CRENO, is a winter-hardy winner

Click here to read more about our alfalfa varieties.

Find a ForageMax® mixture containing alfalfa.
(Use the filter by ticking off 'Alfalfa' on the left side of the page).