A genome‐wide association study approach to the identification of candidate genes underlying agronomic traits in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage legume crops for hay and silage production worldwide (Li and Brummer, 2012). Understanding the genetic basis underlying its agronomic performance will provide critical molecular insights in support of alfalfa breeding. Alfalfa is a tetraploid, perennial, open pollinated legume with a high level of heterozygosity, which increases the complexity of the genetics required to support...