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ALFALFA

"Alfalfa reflects the harmony in nature via two symbiotic relationships. First, as a member of the legume family, alfalfa has a mutualistic relationship with nitrogren-fixing bacteria, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a unstable form. In return for this benefit, the microorganisms receive a habitat and a food source. Second, alfalfa has a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with bees. The bees receive a food source from the flowers of the alfalfa, while the pollination allows the cross-fertilization necessary for reproduction of the plants. 

In a sense, alfalfa also reflects a harmonious relationship with people. Alfalfa has been spread by people throughout the world, ensuring its survival as a species, and bees even have been imported to alfalfa fields for pollination purposes. For humans, alfalfa is a very important agricultural plant, being used to feed livestock (cattle, horses, sheep, etc.), and used in crop rotation to replenish nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil. In terms of human consumption, alfalfa sprouts are used as a salad ingredient, the shoots eaten as a vegetable, the seeds eaten, and the leaves used in making tea. Alfalfa is high in protein and an excellent source of several vitamins (A, D, E and K) and minerals. Furthemore, both Western and Eastern medicine have found ways to use the whole plant and seeds medicinally" ("Alfalfa," 2019). 

Alfalfa (2019, March). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 30, 2019, from http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Info:Main_Page.

Acres

4500

Planting Season

Every 3 years

Harvest Season

10-11 times a year

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