"Omid" improved alfalfa population suitable for sub tropical regions

The recurrent selection was used in this study. For this purpose, 49 alfalfa ecotype seeds collected from all over the country and planted in Khuzestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center in 1990. Based on forage yield comparison, 20 ecotype were selected in 1993, provided at least 100 compatible stem cuttings, rooted and planted in separated plots and produced 20 seed sample. Based on 20 ecotype performance in 1995, eight ecotypes were removed and seeds of 12 ecotypes were harvested separately and cultivated in isolated region in 1996. The final comparison resultsed in the removal of 6 other ecotypes. After open pollinating between six remaining ecotypes, modified population was obtain in 1998 and planted in the isolated farms for until 2005. This population was compared with the best ecotypes of sub tropical regions including Baghdadi, Nikeshahri, Bami, Yazdi and Mesasersia in a research project during the years 2006 to 2010. The results showed that the improved alfalfa population with 19.3 t/ha total dry matter produced the highest forage yield and was superior to the others that thay have 17.8, 17.6, 16.8, 15.6, and 14.9 t/ha dry forage yield respectively. According to the survey, this improved population was not sensitive to common diseases like as Uromyces striatus, Stemphyllium botryosom, Pseudopeziza medicaginis (Lib.)Sacc. and Green florescence. Due to the superiority of yield and the lack of susceptibility to diseases, this population was named "Omid" alfalfa and was recommended for cultivation in sub tropical regions.