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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2022, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (11): 191-203.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2021426

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Progress on the taxonomic classification of Medicago species

Zhi-peng LIU1(), Guang-peng REN2   

  1. 1.College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology,State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems,Lanzhou University,Lanzhou 730020,China
    2.School of Ecology,State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-ecosystems,Lanzhou University,Lanzhou 730020,China
  • Received:2021-11-23 Revised:2022-02-24 Online:2022-11-20 Published:2022-10-01
  • Contact: Zhi-peng LIU

Abstract:

This review investigates the disordered status of the classificationof Medicago genus, both domestically and internationally. Several definitions of a taxonomic species were considered and the names and characteristics of 13 Medicago species in China are reported, together with a detailed summary of the names, life forms, chromosome numbers, pollination methods and natural distribution of about 90 Medicago species worldwide, including the classification of 14 sections and 10 subsections in Medicago. The molecular evolutionary relationships between different species, and the geographical origin of Medicago are discussed, and the genetic relationships between different subspecies in the alfalfa complex are further explained. This study puts forward a method of identifying Medicago species on the basis of deep understanding of the concept of species. A wide collection of global Medicago germplasm resources, aiming to further clarify the evolutionary relationship among different sections and different species by molecular evolution methods is proposed. This review provides a reference framework for future Medicago classification and alfalfa cross breeding.

Key words: Medicago, taxonomy, species, alfalfa complex, phylogeny