Preliminary evaluation of some perennial herbaceous Astragalus in order to select superior genotypes Homand-Abesard Rangeland Research Station

This research was aimed to evaluate seven perennial Astragalus species including Astragalus subsecondus, Astragalus lilacinus, Astragalus vegetus, Astragalus brachyodontus, Astragalus effusus, Astragalus cyclophyllon, Astragalus brevidens, with multiple accessions to select the best accession in Homand Absard Rangeland Research Station. After seedbed preparation, the accessions were cultivated with three replications on two rows (lines) of two-meter length with row spacing of 0.5 m for each accession and 0.75 m for different accessions. Forage production, canopy cover percentage, canopy cover diameter, height, seed yield, and the number of flowering stems were evaluated. Collected data were analyzed statistically in a completely randomized design. Analysis of variance and Duncan's Multiple Range Test were performed for mean comparisons. Results showed there was significant differences in terms of the measured traits and accessions. According to the results of forage production, canopy cover percentage and etc. species and accessions such as A. vegetus (Kordestan), A. brevidens (torogh and tandure) A. brachyodontus (zereshk) and A. effusus (dare shohada) are recommended for the improvement and development of rangelands and abandoned dry land farming with the same weather conditions of high rainfall of 300 mm, the average temperature of 11°C , poor in organic matter and medium to semi- heavy texture in Homand Absard station.