VARIABILITY AND RELATIONSHIPS OF SOME IMPORTANT ALFALFA GERMPLASM TRAITS

Abstract

The study was carried out from 2010 to 2013 under specific soil and climatic conditions in the experimental field of the Institute of Agriculture and Seed Science "Obraztsov chiflik"–Rousse. The objective of the study was to establish variability of some important alfalfa traits and relationships between them in alfalfa germplasm. The relatively low variation coefficient for quality traits–leaf/stem ratio (1.22 %) and crude protein content (2.16 %) was established, and the highest coefficient for stem number per unit area and dry matter yield. Dry matter yield was strictly and positively correlated with stems number per m and moderately negatively with leaf/stem ratio. A weak negative relationship between dry matter yield and protein content was found. The result of present investigation indicated that number of stems could be a successful criterion in selection for alfalfa yield increase and quality improvement, respectively. Keyword: alfalfa, crud protein, dry matter yield, leaf/stem ratio, stems number.