Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.).

Background: Alfalfa has been cultivated in many regions around the world as an important forage crop due to its nutritive value to livestock and ability to adapt to various environments. However, the genetic basis by which plasticity of quality-relevant traits influence alfalfa adaption to different water conditions remain largely unknown.

Results: In the present study, 198 accessions of alfalfa of the core collection for drought tolerance were evaluated for 26 forage quality traits in a field trial under an imposed deficit irrigation gradient.