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sixty four Iranian and introduced foreign alfalfa land races and cultivars were studied in the Experimental farm, College of Agriculture, Karadj,Iran. A Partially balanced lattice spuare desing with four replications was used. The following characteristics were studied: fresh matter yield, crude protein percentage, flowering time at 2nd cutting, total heiglt of five plants, late—growth during autumn,and ash percentages.
The fresh matter yields of every cutting were measured for 7 years,however, other characters were measured only in a few cuttings throughout the 7—years period.
The collectect data were statistically analysed and the results of comparison of land races and cultivars are as follows:
-Fresh matter yield was significantly different among cultivars in individual cuttings and annual production. The forg.i4 cultivars were better than Iranian cultivars, particularly in the first years of experiment.
—Crude protein percentage was significantly different among cultivars,but there was not a clear aut difference between Iranian and foreign ones.
-Flowering time was significantly diferent among cultivars.The Iranian cultivars were earlier than the foreign ones.
-Plant height was significantly different among cultivars in all measured cuttings. Foreign cultivars we usually heigher than Iranian cultivars.
-Late growth was significaimly different among cultivars.
-Ash percentage was significantly different among cultivars, except in the first few cuttings, however, there was not a clear- cut difference between Iranian and foriegn cultivars for this trait.