Seed and hay production in 18 ecotypes of Crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum in cold-temperate territory of northern Lorestan

In order to study of variation for both seed and forage production and relationships amongyield and its components, 18 genotypes of Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) were examined under two normal and drought stress conditions using complete block design with 3 replications during 2003 in Broujerd, Iran. Data were collected for ear emergence date, pollination date, milky date, seed mature date, stem density, spike length, peduncle length, 1000 grain weight, seed weight per spike, seed number per spike, plant height, dry matter yield, seed yield and harvest index. Data were analyzed over two normal and drought stress conditions. The results showed that the effects of genotypes were significant for all traits except seed maturity date and 1000 grain weight. The genotypes by environment interaction effects were significant for all of traits except seed milky, seed maturity date, stem density, spike length and harvest index. Results showed that 208S, 1727P12 having 256 and 269 Kg/h and 619S and 619M withhaving 1730 and 1703 Kg/h had higher seed and forage production respectively. The genotypes 4056P4, 4056P1, 208S, 619S 208M with average values of 230 to 260 Kg/h seed and 1480 to 1730 kg/h dry matter yield were introduced for sowing under both irrigation and non irrigation areas.The results of correlation analysis showed that dry matter yield was negatively correlated with ear emergence date, pollination date, milky date, seed mature date and harvest index and positively with plant height. Seed yield had a positive relationship with harvest index, seed weight and seed number per stem.