Authors : Chen Ji-Shan, Shang Chen, Han Gui-Qing, Zhu Rui-Fen, Di Gui-Li, Chen Jing and Zhang Yue-Xue
Abstract: Due to the relationship between Fall Dormancy (FD) and the yield potential of alfalfa, varieties with contrasting FD levels has not been determined in the Northeast regions with cold Winters. This study was conducted with 17 varieties of five FD levels (2-6) over 3 consecutive years to determine the relationship of annual total Dry Matter (DM) yields with FD levels. The results showed that all the five FD varieties survived over the Winter without any persistency problems during the three production years. The greatest average DM yield of 7.93 Mg/ha/year was achieved with Runner (FD2) while the smallest yields were found in Defi (FD5). There were no differences in annual DM yields of varieties among FD levels 2-5. DM yields for some of the dormant, semidormant and non-dormant varieties were also the greatest and notable yield differences (p<0.05) were found among the same FD varieties whereas overall annual total DM yields were not correlated with FD levels. The data suggest that different fall dormancy levels no effected on yields of alfalfa in Northeast China and FD level should not be used as the main criteria for alfalfa variety improvement and/or introduction of new varieties in the cold regions such as Northeast China.
Chen Ji-Shan, Shang Chen, Han Gui-Qing, Zhu Rui-Fen, Di Gui-Li, Chen Jing and Zhang Yue-Xue, 2013. Different Fall Dormancy Levels No Effected on Yields of Alfalfa in Northeast China. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 1498-1503.