Study of Yield and quality triats on 18 ecotypes of crestecd wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum L. for pasture and rangelands improvement in Lorestan province

In order to determine the best ecotype for pasture establishment in Lorestan province, Iran, 18 ecotypes of crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.), were evaluated for yield and quality traits. Two experiments were conducted under optimum and drought stress conditions using complete block design with three replications in Brojerd, Iran during 2003-2004. The data were collected and analyzed for yield and quality triats. The results of combined analyses over two environments showed that genotypes 208S, 1727P12, 2087P10, 4056P4, 1727P7 and 619S produced highest forage dry matter yield with average values of 1451 to 1774 kg/h under drought stress conditions. The latter ecotype had a good quality. In normal condition 208P10, 208S, 1227P7, 208P8, 1727P10 produced higher dry matter yield than others. It was concluded that genotypes, 208P8, 1227P7, 208S and 208P10 with average values of 1765 kg/h forage production were the best varities for sowing under both irrigation and non irrigation areas. The genotypes 208P13 had both good quality and forage production under irrigation condition and the genotype 529M had good quality but its forage production was poor.