Unpacking Alfalfa Toxicity: Paige Baisley breaks new ground in an old problem
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EmailAlfalfa, while widely used as livestock forage, can be allelopathic to its own seedlings; resulting in up to more than 52 percent loss in some fields, as well as significant stand reductions, affecting seedlings within 8 inches of established plants.
Graduate student Paige Baisley is making waves with her research on alfalfa toxicity, a complex issue at the forefront of MSU forage crop research, led by Dr Kim Cassida.
What’s the Problem? Perhaps an affect of its origin in the dry environment of the Mediterranean region, the plant may be trying to discourage competition with own offspring. The toxins have yet to be identified (see paper Paige published recently). Paige’s project is focused on understanding the alfalfa soil microbiome and how it interacts with the plant's root systems, which could hold the key to solving this puzzles presented by autotoxicity. A valuable crop, alfalfa's toxicity to its own seeds means that overseeding dead patches, a common agricultural practice, is rarely successful. “As an extension specialist, Kim says she gets asked to talk about this topic frequently. “So it’s very exciting—a very hot topic” Kim said, “and we're glad to feel like we're making progress on this.”
A new approach
A core part of Paige’s research is the collection and analysis of root exudates to see how the plant’s toxins enter the soil and affect surrounding vegetation. Along the way, Paige has adapted a procedure to collect root exudate and examine this possible pathway from the plant through the roots into the soil. “We’re also looking closely at how crop residue may contribute to this process,” Paige said.
Microbial Diversity in Alfalfa Fields
In addition to studying root exudates, Paige is exploring microbial diversity, particularly along the edges of alfalfa fields. Her data suggests that alfalfa may foster more diverse microbial life within its soil compared to the surrounding grass borders. This discovery raises new questions about how alfalfa interacts with the environment and its surrounding ecosystem, offering exciting new avenues for research.
Collaborative Efforts and Future Goals
Paige’s work is further enriched by collaboration with Dr. Sarah Lebeis and her grad student Kevin Santiago-Morales, who bring additional expertise and insight to the project. Additionally, Paige’s research builds on previous work in Lisa Tiemann's lab, which focused on switchgrass.. This interdisciplinary approach is helping Paige refine her methods and adapt them for alfalfa, turning her project into something much bigger; what started as an MS project has transitioned into a PhD as Paige digs deeper into this subject. Her work, while still in progress, is already showing promising results.
