Identification of Suitable Alfalfa Cultivars for Deficit Irrigation Conditions in Tabriz Plain

The goal of study was to evaluate promising alfalfa cultivars for drought stress and identify the most tolerant and superior cultivars for drought stress.  

The experiment was conducted as split plot based on randomized complete blocks design with three replications in the East Azarbaijan Agriculture and Natural Resources Research and Education Center during three cropping seasons (2016-19). In the main plots, the irrigation factor was applied at three levels - at the first irrigation level only to the end of the first harvest, at the second level irrigation until the end of the second harvest, and at the third level irrigation until the end of the third harvest (complete irrigation). The second factor was six cultivars and alfalfa ecotypes.  

The effect of irrigation levels was significant for all measured traits. The fresh and dry matter yields of the studied genotypes were affected by irrigation levels and decreased significantly. Water stress significantly reduced plant height at first and second levels of irrigation 23% and 17%, respectively. Water stress, also significantly reduced the number of stems at the first and second levels of irrigation 34% and 30%, respectively.  

The responses of genotypes for dry matter yield were similar as fresh forage yield. In conclusion, synthetic and Azar cultivars and Varzghan ecotype were the most suitable cultivars for deficit irrigation conditions and are suitable for cultivation in low irrigation conditions in Tabriz plain.