Introduction of alfalfa improved cultivar, Ahang, suitable for cold and temperate-cold regions

Document Type : Release of the variety

Authors

1 Associate professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

2 Assistant professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

3 Associate professor, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, East Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tabriz, Iran.

4 Researcher, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, West Azerbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Khoi, Iran.

5 Associate professor, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Training Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Isfahan, Iran.

6 Associate professor, Animal Science Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

7 Researcher, Seed and Plant Certification and Registration Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.

8 Researcher, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mashad, Iran.

9 Researcher, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Zanjan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Zanjan, Iran.

10 Associate professor, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Khorasan Razavi Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Mashad, Iran.

11 Associate professor, Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran.

12 Assistant professor, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran.

13 Associate professor, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Golestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Gorgan, Iran.

14 Researcher, Horticulture and Crops Research Department, Hamedan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Hamedan, Iran.

10.22092/rafhc.2025.366735.1350

Abstract

Improvment of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)  ecotypes with goal of enhancing forage yield and other important agronomical characters is one of the breeding methods of this crop in Iran. For this purpose, Mohajeran ecotype of  Hamedani alfalfa, as one of the desirable ecotypes, was selected and two cycles of  mass selection were performed on it during years 1998 and 2000. Plant individuals were phenotypically evaluated for plant height, stem number, leafiness, growth type, pest and disease sensitivity, and flowering time. After the two mass selection cycles, to achieve the generation of Syn-2 seeds and the genetic equilibrium, the new population (KFA17), two stages of seed multiplication took place in isolated conditions during years 2002 to 2004. To compare forage yield and its stability, the improved population (KFA17) along with 16 main ecotypes of cold and temperate regions of the country were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications at 13 locations during the years 2004 to 2007. The results showed that the new improved population KFA17 with 18.11 tha-1, had 940 kg of more dry forage yield compared to the total mean (17.22 tha-1). According to the estimated values of stability parameter of superiority, KFA17 with 2.85 value was the most stable genotype among the tested materials. The amount of crude protein (%) of KFA17 was 16.53. The rate of biological nitrogen fixation of 227.7 kgha-1 per year, fall dormancy score between 4 and 5 and water productivity based on dry forage yield in normal irrigation conditions 1 kgm-3 was obtained in the improved population of KFA17. Due to the desirable properties such as high forage yield and yield stability, KFA17 was released and named as Ahang cultivar, suitable for cold and temperate climate zones in the country.

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References

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Research Achievements for Field and Horticulture Crops
Volume 13, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
February 2025
Pages 209-235

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 23 March 0621
  • Accept Date: 04 January 2025

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