Download or read book Alfalfa and Relatives written by Ernest Small and published by NRC Research Press. This book was released on 2011 with total page 764 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Best known as an animal feed, Alfalfa Medicago sativa is one of the most important and widely produced livestock crops grown throughout the temperate world. "Alfalfa and Relatives: Evolution and Classification of Medicago" provides an in-depth introduction to the Medicago genus, exploring its evolution, breeding and adaptation. Not only are Alfalfa's agricultural and environmental benefits unsurpassed but, due to technological advances, this staple crop is now being developed as a source of human food extracts, pharmaceuticals, enzymes, industrial chemicals, and biofuels. Through this detailed text the authors define the ecological applications of the plant whilst carefully illustrating its economic value and its growing importance as a genetic resource