Manifestation of Valuable Selective Traits in Alfalfa Collection Samples

Abstract

The paper presents the results of the manifestation and study of alfalfa in a collection seed plot according to the main valuable selective traits, such as leafiness, susceptibility to diseases, the productivity of green mass and seeds, as well as chemical composition and nutritional value. The study aims to identify promising collection varieties for selection from two types of alfalfa, namely variegated alfalfa (M. Varia Mart.) and purple alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Field and laboratory methods were used in the study. The laying of seed plots, the assessment of economically valuable traits, and the accounting of productivity were carried out according to the methods of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Industry (VIR) named after N. I. Vavilov, the All-Russian Fodder Research Institute named after V.R. Williams and State Crop Variety Testing of the Republic of Kazakhstan. A comprehensive assessment of the collection material for the chemical composition of fodder was carried out in the laboratory. The experiments were performed at the station of the “Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing” LLP. 134 varieties of alfalfa, namely purple alfalfa (M. sativa L.) and variegated alfalfa (M. varia Mart.) of Kazakh and foreign selection from 18 countries of the world were involved in the study. As a result, productive samples by plant height were identified in the material from Italy (k-5677), Russia (k-31885), Kazakhstan (k-6021); productive samples by leafiness were identified in the material from Russia (k-45479), Kazakhstan (k-61324), Italy (k-5677) and productive samples by complex resistance to diseases (yellow leaf spot, brown leaf spot, rust stain) were identified in the material received from Kyrgyzstan (k-6238), Uzbekistan (k-21634) and Italy (k-5975). By harvesting green mass, the following samples were isolated on average over three years: From Uzbekistan (k-267), France (k-315), and Ukraine (k-454). By seed yield, the highest indicator was observed in a sample from France (k-315). The crude protein content was higher in the second cutting. High indicators were observed in samples from Kazakhstan (k-246, 22.6%) and Russia (k-322, 22.3%).