This paper DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.4275622

Evaluation of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa) cultivars for their Agronomic Performances and Nutritive values in highland and midland of Guji zone of Oromia

Teshale Jabessa ^1*, Ketema Bekele ², Zinash Amare ³

¹ School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia

² Bore Agricultural Research Center, Bore, Ethiopia

³ Fiche Agricultural Research Center, Fiche, Ethiopia

* Corresponding author, email:  teshalejabessa@gmail.com

Abstract: The study was conducted to identify adaptable high biomass, leaf to steam ratio, and good quality yield of Alfalfa cultivars at Bore Agricultural research center. Eight Alfalfa cultivars; Hunter river, Magna-801-FG, Pioneer (1995) DZF-406, Segule1396 (408), Peruvian DZF (406), F-G-9-09, F-L-L-77-(406), and Hunter river (4010) were tested in RCBD with three replications. Plant height was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for Hairy (1995) DZF-406 cultivar (83 cm) while lower for Magna-801-FG. Disease resistance was significantly different (P < 0.05) among cultivars. Segue (1396)-408 cultivars were highly resistant to diseases compared to others. Leaf to stem ratio, biomass yield, and seed yield did not show significant (P > 0.05) differences among treatments. Regarding chemical compositions of NDF, ADL and CP were significantly (P < 0.05) different among treatments. The superior ADL was obtained from Segule (1396)-408 cultivar (32.5%) while, the low was obtained from F-L-L-77 (406) cultivar. The superior NDF was obtained from Poineer (1995) DZF-406 cultivar (70.7%) whereas; the low was from Peruvien- DZF- 406 cultivars (45.9%). The CP yield showed a significant (P < 0.05) difference among cultivars. Magna- 801-FG cultivar had the superior (26.3%) CP while Segule (1396)-408 cultivar (11.3%) had the inferior CP content. Cultivar F-G-9-09 was produced superior in DM (91.8%) and less in ADL (9.3%) while Segule 1396 (1396)-408 cultivar produce (91.3%) DM and lower in TASH (10.8%). superior OM has obtained from Segule 1396 (408) cultivar (80.4%) compared to others. Based on its yield, plant height, biomass yield, and chemical compositions, good DM and OM Peruvien- DZF- 406, F-L-L-77 (406,) Segule-1396 (408), and F-G-9-09 is recommended for further promotion in the highland and midland of Guji and similar agro-ecologies. 

Keywords: Medicago Sativa, chemical composition, Adola, Cultivar.