Lucerne (Alfalfa) in european cropping systems
2017
Julier, Bernadette | Gastal, Francois | Louarn, Gaëtan | Badenhausser, Isabelle | Annicchiarico, Paolo | Crocq, Gilles | Le Chatelier, Denis | Guillemot, Eric | Emile, Jean Claude
This chapter reviews knowledge on the agronomy, genetics, feeding value and harvestingmethods used for lucerne (alfalfa; Medicago sativa), which is the temperate climate legumespecies with the highest protein yield. It has agronomic advantages (high forage production,adequate persistency and drought tolerance) and provides a high quality feed forruminants. Lucerne also has positive impacts on the environment such as soil structure,nitrogen fertility, carbon storage, and plant and animal biodiversity. Lucerne productionsupports sustainable farming systems. Besides seed production that generates significanteconomic activity, novel uses of lucerne for human or animal health or energy productionare also being investigated. Proposals for measures to increase lucerne cultivation in Europeanfarming systems are provided.
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