Medicago scutellata - A Possible Source of Weevil Resistance for Lucerne Improvement

Abstract

Alfalfa or lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a herbaceous,
perennial legume that has often been called the "Queen
of forages." It is the third most important forage crop in
India and occupies more than one million hectare area
and provides 60 to 130 tones green forage per hectare
(Hazra, 1995). Lucerne is well-adapted to a wide range
of climatic and soil conditions. It is relatively drought
tolerant but also responds very well to irrigation. It
tolerates some alkalinity, but does not perform well on
highly-alkaline or salty soils. It is a perennial, outcrossing,
autotetraploid crop domesticated presumably
in the Near East (Iran, plain of Mesopotamia) and/ or in
central Asia around 5000 Be.