Study of genetic variation in alfalfa ecotypes (Medicago sativa) from cold region of Iran, using morphological characters

Genetic diversity of 21 alfalfa (Medicago sativa) ecotypes collected from cold regions were investigated during1998-2001 at Neyshabour Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station. The multivariate techniques were used for study the genetic variation among morphological traits. Factor analysis with Varimax rotation was performed on 23 variables and reduced them down to six common factors with 80.45% variance which were: vegetative factor (20.13%), forage yield components(16.64%), grain yield and it’s components (14.26%), forage quality(13%), reproductive length (9.24%), and reproductive factor (7.18%). Cluster analysis using WARD method classified the 21 ecotypes into four cluster. Ecotypes of second cluster for having high plant height, stem dry weight, re-growth rate, fresh and dry matter yield, were highly valuable for transferring their traits through hybridization programs. Also in cluster three, ecotypes No.9 is suitable for improving forage quality(Leaf/Stem ratio) and in cluster four (ecotypes from Chaharmahal-and- Bakhteyari), for improving inflorescent length and grain yield.s