DEVELOPING, TESTING, AND IMPLEMENTING IMPROVED ALFALFA VARIETIES FOR A WATER-CHALLENGED FUTURE

Objective 1. Develop experimental alfalfa cultivars for improved survival and productivity under both water and salinity stress, leading to variety release.Objective 2. Test the comparative performance of commercial and improved experimental alfalfa cultivars grown under full and deficit irrigation conditions over 3 years at 4 locations (2 in California, 2 in Utah).Objective 3. Document estimated evapotranspiration (ET), applied water, water savings during deficits, stand loss, and yield loss in different environments when growing adapted cultivars.Objective 4. Work closely with farming community to extend cultivar and management information to enable critical information to be used successfully.