Study and introduction of Garghologh alfalfa- the indigenous cultivar of northwestern Iran

This experiment carried out in order to compare morphological and physiological characteristics of drought and chilling resistance of alfalfa cultivar in 1379. Garghologh with four varieties Hamedani, Yazdi, Bami and Baqdadi using field (based on Latin Square Design), pot and in vitro culture. According to results, indigenous var. "Garghologh" was superior in many aspects. Under gradual drought, root length, auxiliary roots no. and root fresh and dry weight of Garghologh was higher than those of other varieties. Garghologh had the greatest cell membrane resistance and from the viewpoint of relative water content (RWC) in the probability level of 1%, Garghologh and Baqdadi stood in lst group and the other varieties stood in 2nd group. From the viewpoint of chlorophyll stability, there was no significant difference between varieties. Germination percentage of Hamedani and gargolog in mannitol solution with the increase in density was higher than that of other varieties. Germination percentage of Garghologh and Bami in NaCl solution with the increase in density was higher than that of others and Hamedani had the lowest germination percentage under this condition. Garghologh had the highest auxiliary root no. and internodes no. the lowest branch no./unit area and leaf area. Under chilling stress, viable plant percentage of Garghologh was the highest and of Baqdadi and Bami was the lowest. Under growth in low temperature in pot culture, the root length of Gargologh was higher than that of other varieties.