ABSTRACT
Alfalfa has considerable potential as a feedstock for production of fuels, feed, and industrial materials. Alfalfa breeders have utilized the extensive germplasm resources of alfalfa to introduce disease and insect resistance, expand environmental adaptation, and improve forage quality. Most improvements in forage quality of alfalfa have occurred through changes in harvest management and production practices. The yield of potentially fermentable sugars from the conversion process is the critical response variable in assessing the value of alfalfa as an ethanol production feedstock. In addition to production of proteins, the use of transgenic alfalfa to produce other industrial feed stocks has been explored. The production costs of alfalfa are low and cultivation of the crop has numerous environmental benefits. A biomass-type of alfalfa is being developed that is more upright in growth habit and performs well in a reduced frequency harvest management system, maximizing the yield of both leaf and stem fractions while lowering production costs.
