is considered an insectary plant and may help other crops such as cotton because it harbours predatory and parasitic insects that would protect the other crop if the two were interplanted. Harvesting the alfalfa by mowing the entire crop area destroys the insect population; this can be avoided by mowing in strips so that part of the growth remains.

Alfalfa develops extensive taproots that can extend around 6 feet per year in loose