A brief review of the origin and dissemination of Alfalfa

doi:10.11686/cyxb2018324

Abstract

Abstract: The origin and spread of alfalfa has not only a taxonomic dimension, but also a historical one. Awareness of alfalfa’s origins is important background knowledge in the field of forage science and history, and also an important research topic in agronomy and agricultural history. Alfalfa, has been cultivated since ancient times, and its origin and transmission has attracted much attention. Iran has been widely recognized as a geographical center for alfalfa. There are two different origins of alfalfa: one is the modern European alfalfa from the Outer Caucasus mountain area; the other is the Central Asia. This latter area is steeped in history, and like the Caucusus is very hot and dry in summer, but differs in being warm in winter. Carbonized alfalfa seeds found in archaeological sites in Iran prove that alfalfa is an ancient crop. About 8000 years ago, humans began to use alfalfa. Records of alfalfa from Turkey date back to 1300 BC, and alfalfa is mentioned in the teaching books of Babylonians in 700 BC. Like some other crops, alfalfa is also transmitted through maritime trade and military invasion. Alfalfa was the main feed of the ancient war horse. Around 490 BC, when the Persians invaded Greece, the seeds of alfalfa were also brought to Greece. The date of alfalfa introduction to Italy is uncertain, probably in 200 BC. At the same time that alfalfa was introduced into Italy, Zhang Qian, the messenger sent to the western world by Emperor Wu of the Han dynasty in 126 BC, brought alfalfa seeds to China. By 1550, alfalfa use had expanded from Spain to France; by 1565 to Belgium and Holland; by1650 to Britain, about 1750 to Germany and Austria, 1770 to Sweden, and in the eighteenth Century to Russia. Then in 1800 alfalfa was taken to New Zealand from Europe, and in 1806 to Australia. Alfalfa was introduced to Peru in 1535. By the eighteenth Century, alfalfa had been introduced into Argentina, and from Peru to Chile. Alfalfa was introduced into the United States from Mexico in 1736.

Key words: alfalfa, origin, spread, alfalfa history

SUN Qi-zhong, LIU Qian, LI Feng, TAO Ya, XU Li-jun. A brief review of the origin and dissemination of Alfalfa[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2019, 28(6): 204-212.

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