The Effect of Foliar Application of Micronutrients on Quality Traits and Yield of Bam Population of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

To investigate the effect of foliar application of micronutrients on chlorophyll and protein content and yield of alfalafa populations and evaluate economics obtain cost- effect, an experiment was carried out in split split plot by time with four replications using a randomized complete blocks desighn at the Shahid Zendeh-Ruh Agricultural Research Center of Kerman. Experimental treatments were micronutrients with five levels: Fe, Zn, Mn, Fe+Zn+Mn and control (without nutrient applications), bacterial inoculation, with three levels: Rhizobium melilloti, Rhizobium legumenasarum</em> and without inoculation. Foliar application had a positive significant effect on all traits under study and increased chlorophyll and protein contents, and alfalfa forage yeild. The highest fresh forage yield belonged to second cutting (71 t.ha-1</sup>) by using combined micronutrient foliar application and to third cutting (68 t.ha-1</sup>) by using Rhizobium</em> leguminosarum</em>. The highest protein rate was observed in Mn foliar application and Rhizobium meliloti</em> inoculation at second cutting by 50%. Based on the results obtained it can be concluded that foliar application of micronutrients and inoculation with Rhizobium </em>bacteria improves morphological characteristics of Bami population of alfalfa in Kerman region.