Evaluation of yield potential, genetic variances and correlation for nine cultivars of alfalfa under the new valley environment [electronic resource].

Includes reference.

In the period of 2004-2006, field trails were conducted at the New Valley Res. Station to evaluate the yield potential and genetic variances among alfalfa cultivas; a new Synthetic (Wady Syn.), four promising populations ( Serw₁ Serw₂ Nitrogen fixation and salt tolerant ), three commercial varieties ( Siwa, Ismailia1 and Ismailia₉₄) and a local cultivar ( Wady ). Twenty cuts were obtained dUring 2005 and 2006. The combined analysis of variance over two years indicated that Wady Syn. population ranked first for fresh and dry yields ( 72.3 t fed⁻¹ and 18.9 t fed⁻¹ ) and other studied traits significantly different from other tested cultivars. The commercial variety Ismailia₉₄ ranked second (66.55 and 17.2 t fed"). Regarding plant height, tillers and leaf to stem ratio (LSR), WadySyn. recorded the highest values (48.2 em, 416.7/m² and 47.6 %) significant from Ismailia•• which recorded 45.6 em, 362.3 m² and 43.3 %, respectively. Significant positive correlation among either fresh forage yield or dry forage yield and other traits. The values of genotypic coefficient of variation for fresh and dry forage yields revealed relative variations among the tested cultivars which were less influenced by environment. The environmental variation ranged from 4.4% to 33.3% and the genetic advance ranged from 3.9% to 14.5%.

Summary in Arabic.

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