Alfalfa research continues at DSU

Alfalfa research that Dakota State University students began in 2020 is continuing this summer.

Three senior biology students, under the guidance of Dr. Andrew Sathoff, DSU assistant professor of biology, and with financial support from Mustang Seeds, are researching Pythium, a seedling disease that impacts alfalfa.

During the summer of 2020, student researcher Jenni Giles of Madison and Conner Tordsen identified root rot in alfalfa in South Dakota for the first time.  They shared their findings with the farmers whose soil they sampled and were able to offer recommendations for better yields.  Giles continued research during the school year through a Student Research Initiative grant, utilizing the soil samples collected in the summer.  She is continuing this work with her fellow student researchers this summer.  

The students will present their findings at Mustang Seeds’ Dealer Days in August.