Introduction of new improved population of alfalfa "Azar" for cold and temperate regions of Azarbaijan

The new durum wheat cultivar, Sana (line DM-93-8) was initially introduced as a breeding line through 43rd International Durum Screening Nursery (IDSN) received from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CYMMIT) and was evaluated in Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) in Karaj. Sana was selected for further evaluations based on its high grain yield (7750 kgha-1) at the subsequent years. This line had average grain yield of 9675 kgha-1 in the regional preliminary yield trial in 2012-2013 cropping season. Line DM-93-8 had average grain yield of 6827 kgha-1 in the advanced yield trial, with no considerable difference with Dena check cultivar having grain yield of 6973 kgha-1 in 2013-2014, therefore this line was selected for the further evaluations. The regional elite yield trials were conducted in four stations of Isfahan, Karaj, Kermanshah and Neishabour in 2014-15 and 2015-16.  This line with 9025 kgha-1 had 16% higher grain yield than Dena check cultivar, with grain yield of 7779 kgha-1, and therefore was selected as superior line based on its grain yield and yield stability. Sana also has high quality of semolina, high protein content (12.2%) and high percentage of wet gluten (27%). The results of on-farm trials showed that this cultivar exhibited a 6% higher grain yield than newly released variety, Hana, as a local check in Kermanshah. Therefore, based on its high grain yield, yield stability, quality of semolina and its good level of resistance to yellow and leaf rusts, line DM-93-8 was released as a new durum wheat cultivar with the name of Sana for moderate agro-climate zone of Iran.