Alfalfa (<i>Medicago sativa</i> L.): literature quantitative research analysis

<i>Medicago sativa</i> L., also known as alfalfa, is a perennial crop native of the Mediterranean area. It is one of the most widely cultivated plants due to its adaptability to diverse environments. This communication aims at giving an updated picture of <i>Medicago sativa</i> L.; a literature quantitative research analysis was carried out based on the Scopus database content. The resulting research gives 20,565 documents, which cover a time range between 1866 and 2025. The main subject areas are as follows: <i>Agricultural and Biological Sciences</i>, <i>Biochemistry</i>, <i>Genetics and Molecular Biology</i>, <i>Environmental Science</i>, and others. The main relevant research directions, challenges, and emerging applications are explored.