Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), also called lucerne, is a perennial legume widely known as the “Queen of Forages”ARS. Originating from Southwest Asia, it has been cultivated for thousands of years across the globe.
It features deep taproots, trifoliate leaves and purple‑blue flowers. Rich in crude protein, vitamins and minerals, it delivers outstanding nutritional value for livestock ARS. Mostly processed into hay, silage or pellets, it serves as premium feed for cattle, sheep and other farm animalsFrontiers.
As a nitrogen‑fixing plant, it improves soil fertility for crop rotation. For human use, its sprouts are added to salads, while dried alfalfa appears in dietary supplements. Hardy and adaptable, this multi‑purpose crop plays a key role in modern agriculture.