Alborz-1, a New Cultivar of Crimson Clover Suitable of Cropping Systems Based on Clover Planting

In order to select and release of Alborz-1, the new cultivar of Crimson clover suitable for cropping systems based on clover planting, several research projects were carried out at Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) during 1997-2008. These studies were carried out using a split plot design (based on a RCBD) with 12 treatments and four replications in Karaj, Dezful and Esfahan research stations during 2003-2005. In the Mazandaran Research Station, this experiment was performed using 12 treatments and four replications with a RCBD during 2006—2008. The results showed that production potential of Alborz-1 cultivar was different in the different regions. Mean comparison for forage yield showed that Alborz-1cultivar with 27.14 T/ha fresh forage yield and 5.21 T/ha dry forage yield in Karaj, Dezful and Esfahan; whereas in Mazandaran the figures were 35.34 T/ha and 5.52 T/ha, respectively, indicating that Alborz-1 have been the best performing cultivar among the cultivars studied. The results of quality analyses for Alborz-1demonstrated that this cultivar contained 16% protein, 60% dry matter digestible (DMD) and 70% palatability. It is emphasized that Alborz-1cultivar have shown characteristics such as earliness, high fresh forage yield in early spring season, suitability for being grown as second and/or third crop in summer cropping systems. Alborz-1 is tolerant to deficit irrigation and cold stress as well as tolerance to disease and pest. It was also indicated that this cultivar is suitable to be grown in cold and foothills areas under cropping systems based on clover and rice rotation.