Study of genetic variation in Medicago sativa L. using morphological biochemical indices

Genetic diversity is one of the most important criteria to select parents in breeding programs. Morphological characters and chemical composition, including plant height, tiller number, biomass, dry yield, dry yield/ biomass, dry leaf/dry yield, macro and micro elements, crude protein, dry matter, crude fiber and ash percentage were measured in 18 alfalfa cultivars. The multivariate statistical procedures, such as cluster analysis (UPGMA) and principal components analysis were used. The results showed significant differences among genotypes for morphological traits. Genotype 13 and 15 showed the highest values for most of the studied traits. The Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and heritability (Hb) parameters were estimated for the characters. Hb for plant height, dry yield and leaf/dry yield were 0.81, 0.94, 0.82, 0.89, 0.68 and 0.80 respevtively. Amount of P.C.V were 14.251%, 21.86%, 26.58%, 23.71%, 12.49% and 27.88% respectively, and the G.C.V were 9.67%, 18.84, 18.52%, 18,34%, 6.84% and 18.51, repectively. Based on the morphological traits, the genotypes could be classified into four clusters. Ninty for percent of variance among the genotypes were justified by the first two PCAs. Based on chemical traits they were classified into five groups and 73.492% of variance was explained by the first four principal components. Dry yield, protein percentage and Ca had higher portion of variance.