Seed productivity of various alfalfa varieties for the foothill zone of the North Caucasus

Abstract

Relevance and methods. The aim of the research is to evaluate different varieties of alfalfa by a complex of economically valuable traits. The research was carried out in the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus on the experimental fields of the SCNIIGPSH VNC RAS. The object of research is 8 varieties of alfalfa Sarga (control), Manycheskaya, Kizlyarskaya, Sinegibridnaya, VEGA 87, Lada, Nakhodka, Mira. Experiments, observations, and records were recorded using generally accepted methods.

Results. The article presents a comparative characteristic of four varieties of alfalfa on the main economically valuable characteristics and seed productivity. As a result of research, it was found that the yield of green mass and leafiness of alfalfa varieties Sinegibridnaya and Kizlyarskaya exceeded other varieties by 5–7%. The Kizlyar variety had a high seed productivity among the tested alfalfa varieties. The Kizlyarsky variety combines high yields of green mass, dry matter and 1000 seeds. Improvement of existing and creation of new alfalfa varieties with high seed productivity for the conditions of the foothill zone of the Central Caucasus. Materials and methods. The object of the study was eight species of monoecious hemp of the Central Russian type included in the State register of agricultural achievements approved for use, of various breeding origin. Each specie was represented by eight individual plants. To study genetic polymorphism, a PCR method was used using a set of ten SSR markers, followed by product detection on a genetic analyzer. To determine the cannabinoid chemotype of species, a specific SCAR marker was used, the amplification products of which were detected by electrophoresis.