Agro-Morphological and Forage Quality Traits of Selected Alfalfa Populations and Their Application in Breeding

Authors : Marijana TUCAK, Svetislav POPOVIĆ, Tihomir ČUPIĆ, Goran KRIZMANIĆ, Valentina ŠPANIĆ, Branimir ŠIMIĆ, Vladimir MEGLIČ

Pages : 79-83

Doi:10.17557/tjfc.43607

View : 23 | Download : 10

Publication Date : 2014-01-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The objectives of this research were to evaluate agro-morphological and forage quality performances of selected alfalfa populations and to predict the genetic potential of this populations as a source of the material for breeding programs and/or commercial use. Twenty selected alfalfa populations and two control cultivars were tested over three consecutive years insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2008, 2009, 2010); at the experimental field of the Agricultural Institute Osijek in Croatia. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The plot size was 6 m2 at the sowing rate of 15 kg ha-1. A total of fifteen traits were measured/analysed on all plots and/or individual plants of all populations and cultivars. Significant differences were determined between alfalfa populations/cultivars in all investigated traits, except for content of crude protein in dry matter. The highest three-years average yields insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(from 86.32 to 101.12 t ha-1 for green mass, from 17.45 to 20.46 t ha-1 for dry matter, from 3657 to 4289 kg ha-1 for crude protein); and favourable values for the most of the investigated morphological and forage quality traits were obtained in populations MSP 16,8,1,9,20,11,10. Seven superior alfalfa populations were identified which could represent a valuable source of genetic material for further selection and improvement of our breeding program and/or application for plant cultivar registration
Keywords : Alfalfa, agro morphological traits, breeding, forage quality, population