Alfalfa crop modeling Saman Zaheer 15-arid-5171
Stem Early vegetative: Stem length < 15 cm; no buds, flowers or seed pods Mid–vegetative: Stem length 16 – 30 cm; no buds, flowers or seed pods Late vegetative stage: Stem length > 31 cm; no buds, flowers or seed pods
Buds Early bud: 1 to 2 nodes with buds; no flowers or seed pods Late bud: 3 or more nodes with buds; no flowers or seed pod
Flowers Early flower: One node with one open flower (standard open); no seed pods Late flower: Two or more nodes with open flowers; no seed pods short and one-sided cluster flowers. Each cluster contains from ten to twenty purple flowers ordinary leguminous shaped flowers.
Seed pod Early seed pod: 1 to 3 nodes with green seed pods Late seed pod: 4 or more nodes with green seed pods Ripe seed pod: Nodes with mostly brown mature seed pods
Leaves alternate and scattered leaves along the stem. consist of three leaflets like those of clover. The leaflets are rather narrow, two to three times as long as broad, and sharply toothed in their upper part. The middle leaf has a short stalk. he leaves of the plant are made up of three individual leaflets (trifoliate) narrow and oval or oblong shaped leaves smooth upper surface and slightly hairy lower surface of leaves.
Roots Extensive root system. depth 5 to 6 feet the first season. 10 to 12 feet by the end of the second year . extend to depths of 20 feet or more. It allow plant to absorb more vitamins and minerals from soil. Tap root develops rapidly. Penetrates almost vertically downward. No branches occur in the surface few inches of soil.
Plant height Alfalfa can grow quite tall. Can grow to 1 meter in height.
References http://soilandhealth.org/wp- content/uploads/01aglibrary/010139fieldcroproots/01013 9ch13.html http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/forages/utiliza tion/in-field-alfalfa-quality-assessment/ http://www.uaex.edu/farm-ranch/resource-library/forage- id/legumes/alfalfa-buds.aspx http://www.ediblewildfood.com/alfalfa.aspx https://www.plantvillage.org/en/topics/alfalfa