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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 204-223.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2024105

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Current situation and prospects for drought-resistance breeding in Medicago sativa

Cai-jin CHEN1,2,3(), Ming-fang BAO2, Wen-hu WANG1, Ji-hong SHANG2, Yan-xia ZENG2, Xiao-di SHA2, Xin-zhong ZHU2, Xue-min WANG3(), Wen-hui LIU1()   

  1. 1.Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Qinghai University,Xining 810016,China
    2.Guyuan Branch,Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences,Guyuan 756000,China
    3.Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China
  • Received:2024-04-02 Revised:2024-07-09 Online:2025-03-20 Published:2025-01-02
  • Contact: Xue-min WANG,Wen-hui LIU

Abstract:

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a tetraploid perennial herb of the legume family, is widely cultivated around the world and protein forage resource for herbivores of the highest quality. The development of the alfalfa industry is of major importance for agricultural industries and animal husbandry worldwide. However, with the frequent occurrence globally, of extreme climate events such as drought and water shortage, drought has emerged as a key factor limiting alfalfa performance in many regions. Development of varieties with strong drought resistance can not only maintain high and stable yield, but also help to conserve water resources. Therefore, this research focused on reviewing the collection and preservation of alfalfa germplasm resources and evaluation of drought resistance both in China and abroad. The current evaluation and registration status of drought-resistant varieties, as well as the problems and challenges of breeding for drought-resistance, are reviewed in order to promote breeding of drought-resistant alfalfa varieties in China. Our study aims to provide technical support and reference information for the development of drought-resistance in alfalfa breeding in China.

Key words: alfalfa, drought resistance, germplasm resources, breeding