Breeding and enhancement of forage legumes through introduction method in dry areas.

Present germplasm of two chickling species (L.sativus and L.cicera) and four vetch species (V.vilosa spp. dasycardpa, V.narbonensis, V.ervilia and V.panonica) received from international centers were evaluated. Suitable species along with superior genotypes for different agro-ecological zones have been identified in elementary trials. Evaluation of adaptability and comparing with local checks were conducted for selected genotypes along with studies on seed density and rhizobium inoculation effect. Results of nutrition trial showed that nitrogen fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation have significant effect on biomass, grain yield, nodules weight and hundred kernel weights. The highest biomass yield (2681 kg/ha) was obtained from hungarian vetch with application of 20 kg/ha pure nitrogen and inoculation of rhizobium race 2. In general, inculation of feed legumes with rhizobium races and nitrogen application as starter inhanced the forage yield in dryland conditions. In the study of seed rates, the combined analizes of biological yield during two years showed that there was not significant differences between seed rates and interactions between seed rates and genotypes as well as between years and seed rates and genotypes but there was significant differences between genotypes. Comparision of means regarding biological and grain yields showed that entry A2B3 ( Ls-463 with 250 seeds per m2 ) with 3388 and 1179 kg/ha dry biomass and grain yield, respectively was better than other entries. Adaptability testing of advanced lines in warm and semi-cold area during 3 years demonstrated that, genotypes number 3(Sel 474), 9(Sel 554) and 5(Sel 689), had the highest biological yeild respectively (6177, 5688 and 5669 Kgr/ha), and genotypes number 5(Sel 689), 3(Sel 474) and 11(Sel 678), had the highest wet yeild respectively (15921, 15751 and 15628 Kgr/ha). Study on adaptability of advanced lines in cold area showed that, genotypes number SEL 705, SEL 686 and SEL 1321, had the highest biological yeild and stability during 3 years. Promised lines on the base of stability analysis and pathological tests will be involved in on farm trials and superior line(s) will be released for any agroclimatic zone, soon.