Advances in alfalfa improvement using genetic engineering

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has the characteristics of strong adaptability, high protein content, good palatability, and rich nutritional value, and has the largest cultivation area among forage species in the world. With the rapid development of biotechnology, improvement in alfalfa using genetic engineering has become a current topic in China and abroad. In this paper, we mainly summarize and review the progress in three methods used in the genetic transformation of alfalfa, including vector-mediation, direct DNA insertion, and germplasm system mediation, and five utility aspects of alfalfa improvement using genetic engineering, including improvement in antibiotic stress, antibiotic resistance, herbicide resistance, quality, and bioreactor development. The application potential of genetic engineering in improvement in alfalfa and safety were explored to provide a reference for such technology.