Determining fall dormancy rating, yield and quality parameters of different alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotypes

This research was carried out between 2022-2023 in order to determine the fall dormancy rates of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivar and populations as well as their yield and some quality values. The dormancy rates of the cultivars (Nimet, Queen, Bilensoy, Magnum-5, Mirna, Prosemente, Planet, Population-1, Population-2, Population-3 and Population-4) included in the study were determined by using the standard test method. The dormancy rates of the cultivars and populations varied between 4.2-7.7. In addition, In the experiment that was also established and carried out within the scope of the thesis, plant heights, green forage yields, dry matter yields, crude protein rates and yields, %ADF, %NDF rates, digestible dry matter rates, digestible dry matter yields and relative feed values of the alfalfa determined. The average plant height of the alfalfas were found as 60.8-74.8 cm; green forage yields 7564-9088 kg/da, dry matter yields 1736-2110 kg/da, crude protein rates 19.40-22.27, crude protein yields 371.0-437.9 kg/da, ADF and NDF rates %32.07-35.87 and 44.40-49.27, respectively. Digestible dry matter rates 61.0-64.0%; digestible dry matter yields 1089-1293 kg/da, relative feed values were found to be 115.4-133.0. While the forage quality values of dormant cultivars were found to be higher than non-dormant, it was determined that non-dormant varieties provided higher yield than dormant varieties, especially in the autumn period.