Determination of fall growth pattern of Iranian alfalfa cultivars in Azarbaijan climate condition

Fall dormancy in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is very important trait in adaptation and breeding programs. Between 2002 and 2005 crop season an experiment was carried out in East Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center، Tabriz، Iran to determine of 140 alfalfa cultivar and ecotypes fall dormancy pattern in Azarbaijan climate condition and using it for breeding programs. International check cultivars such as C- RIVER، SEQUEL and DIABOLORDE and other foreign cultivars were included in experiment. Plant height، a measure of fall dormancy، was measured in October 20، 25 and 30 days after harvesting in September in 2003 to 2005. Clustering for regrowth rate in fall، determined five clusters. Yazdi، Baghdadi، Nikshahri and Kamanrou ecotypes had the most height of regrowth; therefore they had the less fall dormancy in the experiment. The mean of plant height of regrowth in this cluster was 15. 24 cm and they separated from other cultivars. The minimum height of regrowth and maximum fall dormancy belonged to cluster 3 with 18 members. The mean of plant height of regrowth in this cluster was 7. 75 cm. Ghargolog ecotype from Makou region and TazeKand-Meandoab were the important members of this cluster. MED- Hardy، Evver، HARDE and JEWEL were included in this cluster. The cultivars were belonged to this group had the less fall regrowth or most fall dormant.