Comparison of forage yield among several alfalfa cultivars in rain-fed regions of Iran

Authors

1 Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands Institute

2 Natural Resources Research Center ofKhorasan Province

3 Natural Resources Research Center of Zanjan Province

4 Natural Resources Research Center of Isfahan Province

5 Natural Resources Research Center of Golestan Province

Abstract

Twenty three alfalfa cultivars were assessed in term of forage production in 8 diverse climatic conditions of Iran. The experiments were conducted for 3 to 6 years and the experimental design was RCBD or split-plot. In the first year, due to weak vigor of the plants and good establishment no harvest was made, but from the second year each year one cutting and in some cases, two cuttings were done. Furthermore, the plant height and leaf percentage were measured and comparer for each cultivar and climatic conditions. Forage yield of the alfalfa cultivars in different climatic conditions was different. In North of Khorassan province, with annual rainfall of 279 mm and climatic condition of cold dry and cold semi-dry, all cultivars produced more than 3 tones of herbage. Alfalfa cv. Simercheskaya, Krisari and Kharvandeh were superior to the other cultivars in term of herbage production. In Agh-Gola (Golestan province) with annual rainfall of 315 mm and climatic conditions of semi-arid, forage yield of the plant ranged between 2.8 and 3.8 tons/ha. The cv. Kankrip produced the highest yield.
In climatic condition of cold stepic and cold semi-steppic (Chadegan, Zagheh, ghaed rahmat, Taleghan herbage yield varied from 1 to 2.2 tons/ha).
In these regions, cv. Cody, Simercheskaya and krisari produced the highest yield. In Caspian climatic condition with annual rainfall of 400mm cv. Hunteriver, Krisari and Cody were superior than the other cultivars. In climatic condition of cold semi-arid of Zanjan, all the cultivars produced the lowest herbage yield and the experiment should be done again.
Leaf percentage like forage production was different among climatic conditions and alfalfa cultivars. The plants in Chadgan produced more leaf than the plants in North of Khorassan and caspain climatic conditions. The plants which harvested in cold climatic conditions like Taleghan, 43 to 48 percent of the herbage belonged to their leaves.
The plant height was between 45 to 70 cm in diverse climatic conditions and the heighest herbage production and plant height were obtained in North of Khorassan and Lorestan.
Iranian Journal of Rangelands and Forests Plant Breeding and Genetic Research
Volume 4, Issue 1 - Serial Number 4
March 2000
Pages 117-136

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