Species identification confirmation of Medicago NPGS germplasm

The National Plant Germplasm System of the United States Department of Agriculture (NPGS/USDA) maintains seeds (germplasm) of nearly one million acquisitions of agricultural crops and their wild relatives to safeguard plant genetic diversity for the future. Accurate identification of these seeds is essential for both value and management. Our project is to confirm identification of wild relatives of the most important forage species in the world, alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and obtain information on their genetic diversity.