Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is one of the potential perennial forage legume adapted to a wide range of agro-ecologies. Despite its importance as a high-quality animal feed resource, there is a lack of information on the best adaptable alfalfa cultivars in the highland areas of West Arsi Zone. Thus, the study was conducted to identify adaptable, high-yielding, and quality of alfalfa cultivars for the study areas. Seven alfalfa cultivars; FG-09-09, Magna-801, FB-96-T-206, FG-10-09, Magna-788, Alfalfa-Italy, and Hunter-river (Adapted Check) were evaluated using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The result showed significant (p<0.001) differences between cultivars for plant height, leaf to stem ratio, number of tiller per plant, herbage DM yield, and seed yield. Plant height, leaf to stem ratio, and seed yield were affected by experimental years (p<0.001); similarly the number of tiller per plant and herbage DM yield (p<0.01). The mean DM yield recorded in the establishment year (2020/21) was lower as compared to the 2nd (2021/22) and 3rd (2022/23) years while the maximum DM yield was obtained in the third year (2022/23) (indicate the year) of production. As compared to other cultivars, FG-10-09 produced the highest DM yield (2.92-6.53 t/ha) followed by Magna-801 (2.43-6.37t/ha) across all the three years from the tested cultivars, Magna-801and Hunter river performed best in seed yield production (176.5-216qt/ha and 169.8-220.4qt/ha), respectively, in all test sites and years. The highest CP value was recorded from Magna788 (21.1%) followed by Magna-801 (20.5%) and FB-96-T-206 (20.3%). Generally, it was found that cultivars with higher biomass yield didn’t show the best performance in seed yield and CP contents. Hence, it is important to select cultivars with optimum performance with other parameters were evaluated. Accordingly, among the tested cultivars, Magna- 801 and Hunter river produced optimum biomass, seed yield, and quality performances as compared to other cultivars. Therefore, these cultivars are recommended for demonstration to smallholder farmers and popularized for production in tested areas and similar agro-ecologies. Moreover, to improve seed yield of alfalfa, further study is required on season of establishment, time of planting, clipping time, and soil moisture management.

Keywords: Adaptability, Alfalfa, Biomass yield, Cultivars, Seed yield