New Publications: e-ifc No. 19, March 2009

Cultivo e Utilização da Alfafa nos Trópicos (in Portuguese); Growth and Use of Alfalfa in the Tropics.

Eds. Reinaldo de Paula Ferreira et al., São Carlos: Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, 2008.
ISBN 978-85-86764-14-1. 469 p.

Alfalfa is one of the most important forage crops, planted on the pastures of the tropics of Latin America. The book covers many topics and serves for the growing demand for information on alfalfa as a source of a very nutritious forage. Chapter 4 is devoted to fertilization of alfalfa, and includes data from IPI-Embrapa joint experiments carried out since 2005 at the Embrapa Center for Cattle Growing in the Southeast (Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste). As these experiment show, good practices for alfalfa planting require application of high doses of mineral fertilizers, including potash. IPI Latin America Coordination provided financial assistance towards this publication.

Other topics covered include plant morphology, planting, weed control, irrigation, genetics, Cultivars, seed production, diseases and insects, Conservation of alfalfa forage, pasturing of milk cows and horses, Economic analysis of alfalfa use for dairy production, Statistical analysis of alfalfa production and Priorities of research and the future of alfalfa production in Brazil. See Embrapa website.