Quantitative and Qualitative Farage Yield of Cold-Region Alfalfa Ecotypes of Iran

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Abstract

To evaluate the quality and quantity of forage yield of seventeen cold region alfalfa ecotypes, this experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications in Karaj, for two years (2008-10). Chemical components of forage were measured by AOAC methods. Based on the results of combined analysis of variance, ecotypes were significantly different at 1% probability level for fresh forage yield and at 5% for dry forage yield and leaf to stem ratio. However interaction effects of
ecotype × year were not significant for fresh and dry forage yields. Ecotypes were also significantly different for neutral detergent fiber (N.D.F.) at 1% and for crude protein (C.P.), dry matter digestibility (D.M.D.), organic matter digestibility (O.M.D.) and ash at 5% probability levels. Ecotype × year interaction was significant for N.D.F. at 5% and for D.M.D. and O.M.D. at 1% probability levels. The highest fresh forage yield and dry forage yield (61.3 and 16.4 tha-1, respectively) were obtained from ecotype Gharaaghaj. The highest C.P. (17.73%) was achieved from ecotype Chaleshtar, N.D.F. (50.43%) from Silvaneh, A.D.F. (35.33%) from Silvaneh, D.M.D. (62.98%) from Ordoubad, O.M.D. (59.89%) from Ordoubad and Ash (9.92%) from Silvaneh. Ecotypes Gharaaghaj with 2.79, Sahandava with 2.67, and Garaghouzlou with 2.68 tha-1 had the highest protein yield.

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Seed and Plant Journal
Volume 29, Issue 4
February 2013
Pages 729-745

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