Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
In order to determine the best populations for both yield and quality traits, 36 populations of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) were evaluated using a triple lattice design in Ardabil, Iran during 2005-2006. The data were collected for heading date, plant height, dry matter yield and five quality traits dry Matter digestibility (DMD), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total ash over two years. Near infrared spectroscopy was used for estimation of the quality traits. Result showed significant difference among populations for all of traits except the ash, in the first year. The populations VIII (Russia), 782026 (Shahrekord) and 60075 (Tavankesh) with average values 5.76, 5.32 and 5.5 ton/ha had the highest total dry matter production, respectively. They were suggested as the promising populations for produce synthetic varieties. The populations of 60075 (Tavankesh), 60066 (Borojen), had higher and lower values for plant heights, respectively. For heading date, 418 (Australia) and 1317 (Iranian Gene bank), were recognized as latest and earliest populstions, respectively. The populations of 60071 (Borojen) and 078 (USA) had the higher values for DMD. Results of correlation analysis showed that DMD was positively correlated with WSC, while the correlation among ADF with both DMD and WSC was negative. Heading date was negatively correlated with both DM yield and plant height. The relationships among DM yield with both DMD and WSC were weak and non significant. It was concluded that the population VIII (Russia), 782026 ( Shahre kord) and 60075 (Tavankesh) with higher forage production and 60071 (Borojen) and 078 (USA) with higher quality were suggested as the best populations for cultivation in semi steppe area of northwest of Iran.
Keywords
)