Abstract:
The study was conducted in the Experimented farm of Shambat
Research Station and extended from January to July 2009. The objectives
were to investigate the agronomic and quality performance of some
introduced alfalfa cultivars , using the local variety Hijazi as a check. The
introduced materials comprised 3 alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plus one
Egyptian Clover, Fahli (Trifolium alexandrinum) genotypes. The alfalfa
genotypes were: “Siriver’, “SARDI10” (Australian cultivars) and
“CUF101” (American cultivar). The materials were arranged in RCBD
design with three replicates. The introduced cultivars were evaluated
over four cuts after crop establishment. The data taken for agronomic
attributes included fresh and dry yield, plant height and days to flower.
Proximate analysis was performed to evaluate the percentages of crude
protein (CP) and crude fiber (CF).
Differences among the studied cultivars were not significant for
fresh and dry forage yield. Highly significant differences were detected
among cultivars in days to flowering and plant height.
Interaction between cultivars and cuts was not significant for all traits
indicating that the cultivars were consistent in their performance across
cuts.
None of the introduced cultivars was superior to the local check
Hijazi in forage yield. The check Hijazi was earlier and taller than the
introduced alfalfa cultivars.
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The cultivars averaged 24.29% and 36.94% in crude protein and
crude fiber, respectively. The cultivars Fahli, CUF101 and Hijazi scored
above average values for protein content whereas Siriver and SARDI 10
scored below average values.
