Occurrence of Medicago sativa wild stands on drylands of Japalaq district, Azna city

Medicago sativa, known as alfalfa, is one of the most important rangeland plants that has been domesticated in the long time ago and spread from Persia to all parts of the world. This species is known as the queen of forages in the world due to its wide adaptation, high yield and high quality. Unfortunately, this valuable species has been lost in rangeland ecosystems as a result of overgrazing and it cannot be found except in limited areas such as uncultivated areas between fields and roadsides or orchards. To study wild alfalfa stands, Japlaq section of Azna city was selected. First, the stands of the species were determined by field survey and physiognomy method. The field survey shows that the species is relatively abundant on the roadsides for several kilometers among the dryland wheat farming. It seems that these stands were created as a result of escape from cultivation, while this species was found among drylands and not irrigated lands. The wild seeds of alfalfa can be harvested from these habitats, and used for the restoration of degraded areas, especially abandoned rainfed areas, and also used for other studies such as genetic diversity of wild and cultivated species.