Effects of sowing patterns and density on grain yield and yield components of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. Mesa-Sirsa in South Khozestan conditions

In order to investigate the effect of row spacing and seeding rate on Mesa-Sirsa alfalfa cultivar, this experiment was carried out in the research farm of Khuzestan Agricultural Research Center between 2000 and 2004. The research was performed in the form of a split plot in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. The main plots were three row spacing’s (50, 60 and 70 cm) and the sub plots were five seeding rates (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kg seed per ha). The Traits were racemes lm2, pods/raceme, seeds/pod, 1000 seed weight, seed and biological yield and hoarest index. The effects of year were significant different on all the traits. Seeding rate did not have any significant effect on pods/raceme, seeds/pod and 1000 seed weight. The highest seed yield was obtained from 50 cm row spacing. Seed and biological yield increased as row spacing. Decreased using the highest seeding rate (25 kg/ha) produced the highest biomass yield (5034 kg/ha). The highest significant correlation was observed between race/ms/m2 and seed yield (r= 0. 922٭٭). According to the results, for alfalfa (var. Mesa-Sirsa) seed production in South Khozestan province, using 15 kg/ha seed and 50 cmrow spacing, that produced the highest seed yield due to increase in race/ms/m2 and 1000 seed weight, is recommended.