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Title:   Author  item
                                            Lamb, Joannitem
                                            JUNG, HANS JOACHIM - Retired ARS Employeeitem
                                            Russelle, Michaelitem
                                            SHEAFFER, CRAIG - University Of Minnesotaitem
                                            Samac, Deborah

                                                         - *Debby*item
                                            Vance, Carroll
  Submitted to: Legume Perspectives
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2013
                                    Publication  Date: 7/31/2014
                                    Citation: Lamb, J.F., Jung, H.G., Russelle, M.P., Sheaffer, C.V., Samac, D.A., Vance, C.P. 2014. Alfalfa non-feed uses. Legume Perspectives. 4:38.Interpretive Summary: Alfalfa plays an essential role in sustainable agriculture. Alfalfa’s perennial growth habit and extensive root system permits the crop to aerate soil, access deep water resources, capture nutrient run-off and mitigate soil erosion. Using alfalfa in rotation interrupts pest and pathogen cycles and through symbiotic N2 fixation with soil bacterium, provides up to 100% of the N nutrient requirement of the subsequent crop. Non-feed uses are needed to increase and  diversify revenue streams for growers and allow alfalfa a greater role in sustainable agricultural systems. New uses include alfalfa as a renewable biomass feedstock that can help meet the energy demands of the future, and as an inexpensive and efficient remediation tool to remove sub-soil nitrate from N contaminated sites .
                                Technical Abstract: Non-feed uses for alfalfa such as biomass energy and phytoremediation could increase alfalfa acreage and improve farm profitability. The new bio-energy alfalfa and production system increased forage yield and ethanol production. New alfalfas with enhanced nitrogen cycling capacities would protect water quality and enhance alfalfa’s value in crop rotation systems.


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