Collection and characterization of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in West Mediterranean coastal zone

Alfaalfa which is the one of the most quality roughages used in the animal nutrition and also utilized as the concentrate feed is grown in wide cultivation sites in the numerous countries of the world. However, this forage crop, a native plant of Turkey, has not been given in our country as much importance as in other countries and has not been able to provide an adequate development across the country. Alfaalfa agriculture is done with the native populations on a large scale in our country and improved alfaalfa species are limited. The purpose of this study was to collect superior alfaalfa species chosen from the natural vegetation in the West Mediterranean Coast Zone, 13 counties of Antalya, propagate vegetatively the clones and transplant the clones to the field, evaluate the phenological and morphological observations and transfer the materials to the breeding programme. The features of alfaalfa genotypes differed significantly. The growth rate after harvest of some genotypes were high. Natural plant height of alfaalfa genotypes were measured as 57.86-89.03 cm, the main stem lengths were measured as 67.45-101.28 cm. The significant differences between the number of branches in the root corolla were determined. The highest number of branches in the root corolla were determined as 71.00 pcs in Gazipaşa-1 population and 69.66 pcs in Kemer-1 population. Alanya-1 population had the earliest flowering day number with the 192.50 days between the alfaalfa genotypes, the other populations flowering day numbers were between the 193.00-205.33 days. The highest total dry matter yield was determined as 949.50 g in Gazipaşa-1 population, the total dry matter yields of the other populations differed between 331.40-763.46 g. the highest crude protein rates were estimated between 17.52-16.27 % in the Gazipaşa-1, Alanya-1, Aksu-1, Aksu-2, Kepez-1, Döşemealtı-1, Konyalatı-1, Kemer-1, Kumluca-2, Finike-1, Finike-2, Demre-1, Demre-2 and Kaş-1 genotypes, the lowest crude protein rate was estimated as the 12.75 % in Kaş-2 population. As a result of the research, Gazipaşa-1, Alanya-1, Aksu-1, Aksu-2, Kepez-1, Döşemealtı-1, Kemer-1, Finike-2, Demre-1 and Kaş-1 populations were chosen for using purpose of breeding.