SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) POPULATIONS IN LAKE REGIONS OF TURKEY

Abstract

Clones were collected from 22 counties and 60 different points at Isparta, Burdur, Afyonkarahisar and Konya provinces. Alfalfa genotypes were characterized using phonologic and morphologic features. Collected clones were reproduced in greenhouse in 2011 and at the same year 2400 alfalfa plants were sown in the field, 80x80 cm row spacing and each population contained 40 plants. For all populations, characterizations were based on 10 different observations. Egirdir-2, Yalvac-3, Bolvadin-1, Senirkent-2, Yesilova-3, Beysehir-2, Cay-1, Sultandagi-2, Sarkikaraagac-3 and Yenisarbademli-1 populations were selected for using synthetic variety breeding method. Selected genotypes had high covering area of plant at spring, summer, autumn and winter, high natural plant height, large crown diameter, high bud number at crown, high depth crown, high cut area of plant and dry matter yield of first cut features.