Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative traits of alfalfa cultivars forage in different cuts in yazd region

In order to study the effect of cultivar and different cuts on forage yield and protein content of alfalfa cultivars (Mesasirsa, Santetic, Yazdi, Bami, Nik Shahri and Baghdadi), an experiment was conducted in the form of split plot arrangement in randomized complete block design with four replications at Agricultural and natural resources research center of Yazd in 2013-14 growing season. The results showed that effect of cultivar and different cuts was significant on all traits. Misasirsa, Yazdi, Bami and Santetic had the highest fresh forage yield (17.29, 17.02, 17.37 and 18.27 ton/ha) and dry forage yield (4.47, 4.7, 4.56 and 4.59 ton/ha) respectively. Among the cultivars and different cuts, NikShahri and Yazdi had the highest (1.16 and 1.18 respectively) and first harvest had the highest (2) leaf stem ratio. Among the cultivars, the percent of dry matter of NikShahri cultivar was higher than (27.8) other cultivars. First and third harvest had the highest dry matter percent (30.5 and 29.99 respectively). Among the different cuts, First harvest had the highest dry forage yield (6.55 ton/ha). Protein percent of mesasirsa cultivar (21.98) was higher than other cultivars. First and third harvest had the highest protein percent (22.81 and 21.98 respectively). Generally, Yazdi cultivar in first harvest had the highest leaf stem ratio (2.68), dry matter percent (34.68) and dry forage yield (8.03 ton/ha), So, this cultivar was most suitable for Yazd region.