Biotech Studies 2016, Vol 25, Num, 2     (Pages: 195-199)

Collection of Alfalfa Species from Antalya Natural Flora and Determination of Morphological Characterization

Mehmet ÖTEN ,Semiha ÇEÇEN ,Cengiz ERDURMUŞ

1 Batı Akdeniz Tarımsal Araştırma Enstitüsü, Antalya DOI : 10.21566/tarbitderg.281894 - This project was carried out between 2008-2012 years in Batı Akdeniz Agricultural Research Institute. In this study, alfalfa (Medicago sp.) species in Antalya natural flora were determined, seed samples were taken and sown in the Institute field for seed production. Alfalfa species were collected over three years, after, planted to a collection garden as 2 m length, 2 m row spacing. Observations were identified during two years. The number of days to flowering, number of days of physiological maturity, flower color, plant height, thousand grain weight, number of seed per fruit and bunches of flowers were obsered in collected alfalfa species. The number of days to flowering that varies according to species, the lowest value was found in the M.turbinata L. as 120 days, the maximum was found in M. orbicularis L. The value for the number of days physiological maturity, were found as 155 days in M. ciliaris L., it is determined as the highest value in M. polymorpha L. as 238 days. The morphological observations of the populations were recorded and eight different types were identified in 92 base populations. As a result of the study 92 alfalfa populations were added to Institute forage crops gene pool to use for future breeding studies. Keywords : Natural flora, forage, legume plants, alfalfa