Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** alfalfa production significantly…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** alfalfa production significantly contributes to the state economies of colorado and utah. About 650,000 and 490,000 acres of alfalfa were harvested in colorado and utah, respectively during 2023. However, the productivity of alfalfa is declining due to restricted irrigation water availability or lack of access to IT for some alfalfa growers. The overarching goal of this stakeholder-driven research proposal is to develop strategies for sustaining alfalfa productivity and quality in the study regions by evaluating the drought tolerance of alfalfa cultivars in combination with legumes and grasses. We will conduct on farm trials to identify drought tolerant sativa, sativa+legumes/grasses mixtures, falcata + legumes/grasses that perform well under reduced water availability; identify differences in the bulk soil and rhizosphere microbiome composition associated with these mixtures; assess soil carbon sequestration and climate resiliency potential and economic benefits; and integrate extension, outreach, education, and training activities to promote the adoption of regionally-adapted combination of species. We will use the epic model to determine ideal periods for irrigation withdrawal, quantify and compare soil organic carbon stocks under identified combinations, and assess their climate change adaptation potential. Outcomes include quantified benefits of alfalfa grass legume mix on productivity and quality, new insights into the variability of bulk soil and rhizosphere microbiomes across drought tolerant and susceptible alfalfa cultivars, carbon sequestration potential, and enhanced awareness of drought-tolerant alfalfa grass legume mixes. The project addresses two of the five nifa priority areas- increasing alfalfa forage yields and forage quality and climate-smart agriculture and carbon sequestration.