Genetic diversity in Iranian sainfoin germplasms with emphasis on agronomic traits

Iran is one of the main centers for genetic diversity of sainfoin (Onobrychis Mill.). A total of 198 landraces of sainfoin (O. vicifolia Scop. Syn O. sativa Lam.) genetic resources, collected from all over the country were subjected in the study. The materials were sown in an experimental field and evaluated based on their agro-morphological traits. A high degree of genetic diversity for most of the agro-morphological traits was observed. Days to flowering revealed a diversity of 40 days. Therefore, the germplasm can be used as suitable materials for improving different classes of seed ripening. There were suitable genetic diversity for susceptibility to leaf powdery mildew and pod shattering traits. Result of regression analysis implied the stem color as a character for fast screening on high yield forage selection. According to the result of cluster analysis based on K-means and factor analysis, landraces were grouped into 3 distinct clusters. Clusters relations and main traits in each cluster have been disscused. A remarkable collection of sainfoin germplasm was evaluated; therefore, it can provide suitable materials for future sainfoin breeding programs.