The Persistence And Growth Characteristics Of35Medicago Sativa Varieties At The10Th Year After Establishment

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), is a outstanding perennial forage legume. It is honored as "the king of forages" due to it has been cultivated for a long history, can be used for a long period once established, good palatability and high nutrition. Alfalfa also has the ecological value of avoiding soil erosion, improving soil quality and protecting local ecosystems. In order to select the suitable varieties for planting in Hexi corridor of Gansu province,35Medicago sativa varieties have been planted in Zhangye Experiment Station of Lanzhou University since2001were investigated during the2011. The characteristics measured included persistence, hay yield, growth rate, plant height and branch numbers. The main results showed that:1. The performance of individual characteristic ranking the first best5among the35Medicago sativa varieties tested were:varieties Prime, Weinan, Gongnong No.l, Gannong No.2and Rambler for characteristic of persistence; Xinjiang big-leaf, Gongnong No.1, Bear No.1, Rambler and YL-3for the forage yield; Super7, Sanditi, Gongnong No.2, Difi and L33for growth rate; and were:YL-3, Wudi, CN27, America big-leaf and Gannong NO.2with higher branch numbers.2. The simple correlations analysis showed that the persistence of alfalfa was significantly positive correlated (p<0.01) with forage yield and with the number of branches, but was significantly negative (p<0.05) correlated with the growth rate. The forage yield was significantly positive (p<0.05) correlated with the number of branches. The number of branches was significantly positive (p<0.05) correlated with the growth rate. And the growth rate significant positively (p<0.01) correlated with plant height. No significant correlation presented between the other characteristics.3. An integrated analysis combing the persistence and forage yield found that the varieties of Gongnong No.1, Xinjiang big-leaf, Rambler, Gongnong No.2, Prime and Weinan performed not only had better persistence, but also forage yield. These varieties were highly adaptable to the experimental region, and recommended as the suitable varieties for growing and extension.