ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Effect of Cutting Time on the Performance
of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Genotypes Cropped
in Arid Environment
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1
Dry Land and Oases Cropping Laboratory, Arid Land Institute of Medenine (IRA), Medenine, Tunisia
2
Department of Environmental Sciences, Insitute of Applied Biology of Medenine (ISBAM),
University of Gabes, Tunisia
3
Plant Toxicology and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerta, Zarzouna, Tunisia
4
Unit of Valorisation of Active Biomolecules, Insitute of Applied Biology of Medenine,
University of Gabes, 4119 Medenine, Tunisia
Submission date: 2020-03-09
Final revision date: 2020-05-01
Acceptance date: 2020-06-28
Online publication date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Corresponding author
Samir Tlahig
Dry Land and Oases Cropping Laboratory, Arid Land Institute of Médenine, El Fjè- Km 22, 4119, Médenine, Tunisia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1817-1829
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ABSTRACT
There have been many challenges for plant science researchers to overcome the difficulties associated
with soil, climate and environmental sucessful conditions, in order to improve crops quality, yields and
productivity. The present study aimed to provide new insights into alfalfa germplasm in order to improve
tolerance to arid conditions, along with high yield potential and forage quality. We compared the effect
of harvesting time on forage yield and nutritional quality of eight alfalfa genotypes of different origins
(native, selected and introduced). The results showed significant (p<0.05) genetic variability among the
genotypes for the agro-morphological traits; dry matter yield, total plant height, number- and length of
internodes at different harvesting times. Besides, harvesting at different phenological stages determined
the biochemical composition in dry matter, ash, crude proteins, total soluble proteins and sugars and free
amino acids. Our results, based on the multivariate cluster analysis and principal component analysis
(PCA)-biplot may suggest the genotypes of alfalfa well adapted to stressful environments outside oasis
of arid regions. This may bring insights into their use in culture or in breeding programs in attempt to
improve adaptability of alfalfa crops to environmental arid conditions.