DSU continues alfalfa research

(L-to-R) Dr. Andrew Sathoff and biology students Alex Rachynska, Travis Rebstock, Brandon Daniels, and Conner Tordsen are conducting alfalfa research this summer./Dakota State University

A third summer of alfalfa research is underway at Dakota State University in Madison.

The research is being done in participation with the National Science Foundation’s Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (or EPSCoR).

DSU students Brandon Daniels, Alex Rachynska, Travis Rebstock, and recent graduate Conner Tordsen, are researching biological controls to defend alfalfa from disease. They are working under the guidance of DSU Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Andrew Sathoff.

The research, which Tordsen began in the fall of 2021, showed that biocontrols worked really well, providing another option for treating plants other than fungicides. Biocontrols are also more environmentally friendly and can be used by organic farmers.

The students will be presenting their findings at the South Dakota EPSCoR 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of July. One of the students will also present at the Plant Health Conference in Pittsburgh in August and another will present biocontrol work at the World Alfalfa Congress in November.

July 7, 2022