Evaluation of yield and quality traits of tolerant and semi tolerant populations to powdery mildew in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia)

In order to identify tolerated populations of sainfoin to powdery mildew, seeds of ten populations of Onobrychis viciaefolia, originated from different regions of Iran were sown in Alborz research station during 2013. Tolerant and susceptible populations were cultivated in natural condition and evaluated in terms of contamination and other parameters as yield and quality traits. Result showed that two populations of 15353, 3001, Oshnaviaeh and Polycross had disease severity index less than 25% and nominated as tolerant populations. The rest of populations due to disease severity index between 25 to 50% and over than 50% were considered as semi tolerant and susceptible, respectively. The tolerant (15353, 3001, Oshnaviaeh and Polycross) populations had higher forage and seed yield than susceptible populations. They showed also higher values of quality traits (Protein content, water soluble carbohydrate, digestive material and ash content) than susceptible ones. In contrast the susceptible populations had higher crude fiber, ADF and NDF compared with tolerant populations. In principle component analysis (PCA), the first four components accounted for 83% of total variation. The first three components were known as yield, quality traits and disease severity index, respectively. Result of cluster analysis showed that population of 3001, 15353, 9263, 4083 and Oshnaviaeh and Polycross were located in cluster 2 that these popolations have lower mean values of disease severity index and higher forage and seed production.