**2. Alfafa:** *M. sativa* **L.**

Alfalfa (*M. sativa* L.) is recognized as the oldest forage grown worldwide, due to its high feeding value and wide adaptability [16]. It is a forage crop with several benefits by strengthening soil structure, contribute nitrogen to soil as well as pest management impacts. Alfalfa is cultivated in more than 80 countries around the globe in an area of 32-million-hectare [17], with a forage yield of 5.75 metric tonnes per hectare per year, hay yield of 8.3 million metric tonnes per year and seed yield of 186–280 kg ha−1 annually [18], in addition to the contribution of 83–594 kg N ha−1 with the aid of Nitrogen fixing bacteria, *Sinorhizobium meliloti* in the root nodules [19]. Alfalfa is a highly nutritious animal feed and preferred to other forages by the feeding ruminants [20]. The potentiality of alfalfa as a cattle feed arises due to the high content of crude protein with excellent digestibility and its rapid passage through the gastro intestinal track, providing quality proteins for gut microorganisms to resynthesize proteins and vitamins, and stimulate cellulose digestion [21]. The appropriate predicted time of harvest is 10% blooming stage for higher biomass as well as forage yield [22]. As flowering is onset, several physiological functions occur in alfalfa plant. A chief reorganization of photosynthetic possessions from foliage to reproductive parts [23], an increase in lignification of tissues occurs [24], the quality of stem tissues declines and leaf tissues improves [25]. As flowering onsets, a loss in foliage quality up to 45% in relation to feed value is documented. Moreover, a per cent loss in foliage quality leads to 3% loss of cattle daily weight gain [26]. Therefore, a delay in flowering leads to high forage quality for longer period.

#### **2.1 Propagation of alfalfa**

Seed is the base for any plant to propagate. Alfalfa is one of the chief forage plants cultivated in dry region through seeds [27]. Seeds are produced in alfalfa for propagation as well as for sprout production for human consumption. Alfalfa can be propagated sexually by seeding alfalfa seeds in a well prepared and well drained seed bed @8–10 kg per acre as pure crop; for mixed strands with grasses, a seed rate of 6–8 kg per acre is required. Asexually alfalfa can be propagated by semi rigid stem cuttings.
