Reseeding by Eight Alfalfa Populations in a Semiarid Pasture

Abstract

Eight alfalfa populations were seeded in a dryland pasture in northern Utah. Densities of mature plants, seeds, seedlings, and 1-year-old plants were measured in each of 3 years. The populations did not differ for mature plant stands or seed production. There was a higher rate of seedling survival for populations that primarily originated from Medicago sativa rather than M. falcata. All populations had some one-year-old plants persisting to replace mature plants killed by disease or rodents.