Evaluation of Sainfoin Landraces for Yield Potential

Sainfoin with deep root, high level of drought tolerance, digestibility and lack of bloating is one of the important forage crops in Iran. The present study was designed to assess the 15 sainfoin landraces cultivating in east and west Azarbijan provinces in three plant densities (200, 400 and 600 plants/m2). The trial was carried out as factorial using complete block design with three replications during three years. There were significant genotypic differences for all of the studied characters in the first and third years of experiment except for leaf to stem ratio which was not significant in the third year. Whereas in the second year, significant differences among landraces were observed only for plant height, dry weight of 15 plants and dry forage yield per plant. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for all of the characters. Mean comparisons and ranking of landraces based on mean of all characters in each year and combined over three years, indicated that Osko and Arbat Osko landraces are the genotypes with high production potential. Particularly, the Osko landrace with high dry forage yield and someyield components showed significant differences with other landraces in all of the three years. Gharechaman landrace in spite of having low yield as compared to the two above mentioned landraces, can be used as a valuable genetic resource in breeding programs due to high forage quality.