The proposed research aims at providing genetic solutions to mitigate the limitations to producing alfalfa on acid soils

The University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc., received a $748,030.53 Project Grant award (dated September 15, 2025) from the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Program (ASAFS, CFDA 10.330) to develop genetic solutions enabling alfalfa production on acid soils. The project addresses Priority Area #1 of the ASAFS program by identifying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and genes associated with yield, low-pH, and aluminum (Al) tolerance in alfalfa across four geographically diverse locations spanning the Southeast (Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina) and North Central (Minnesota) regions. Using a germplasm panel of 200 accessions, the research team will identify the top five germplasm candidates per region suitable for breeding programs to stack low-pH tolerance and yield genes, thereby enabling growers to expand alfalfa acreage into regions previously unsuitable for cultivation due to soil acidity constraints.

In addition to research objectives, the project integrates extension programming to improve stakeholder knowledge of the challenges associated with growing alfalfa on acid soils and the value of low-pH tolerant cultivars. Sub-awards to Auburn University and Clemson University (both announced March 2026) support regional implementation of "Unlocking forage yield and stand persistence potential of alfalfa in low pH soils." The project period extends through September 14, 2028, and will generate germplasm resources and breeding materials for the alfalfa industry and producers to develop elite cultivars, expand production opportunities in acid-soil regions, and create profitable economic opportunities in rural communities.

IT addresses the alfalfa seed and alfalfa forage systems research program (AFRP) priority area # 1: increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production. Despite the efforts made over several decades to understand the mechanisms of low PH and AL stress in alfalfa, nothing has translated into cultivars with acceptable yield and persistence in field conditions, leaving growers to rely on costly management or avoid growing alfalfa. The proposed project integrates research and extension objectives and represents a multi-state collaboration of four states from the southeast (georgia, alabama, and south carolina) and north central (MINNESOTA). This project uses a diverse germplasm panel of 200 accessions to 1) identify qtls or genes associated with yield, low-PH, and high-AL tolerance across four different locations. 2) identify the top five germplasms for each region for breeding to stack low-PH tolerance and yield genes. 3) improve stakeholder knowledge of the challenges to grow alfalfa on acid soils and the value of low-PH tolerant cultivars through extension programming. The alfalfa industry and producers will benefit from this research through access to the germplasm and resources developed in this project to develop elite alfalfa cultivars and expand alfalfa acreage to regions with acid soils, and provide profitable economic opportunities for rural communities.