Alfalfa yield and quality are major factors for profitability of this crop. Problems with soil nutrient deficiency, water management, harvest management and weed control are troublesome to growers.

Areas of research include: 

• Nutrient deficiency management (i.e. phosphorus and molybdenum) 
  Do I need to fertilize alfalfa?
• Irrigation management through moisture monitoring and crop water budgets 
• Seedling alfalfa weed control:
  Weed Control in Seedling Alfalfa, Using Post Emergent Herbicide Treatments
  Raptor-a new tool for controlling weeds in alfalfa Photo Album
• Weed control in established alfalfa
• Harvest management for better quality while maintaining stand vigor

More alfalfa information:

 

• California Alfalfa Workgroup Web Site
• Cost Studies for Agronomic Crops 
• UC Pest Management Guideline for Alfalfa
• Search Alfalfa Symposium Database