Abstract: This research was conducted in Van located Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey for 3 years from 2001-2003. In the research, twelve alfalfa cultivars (Bilensoy, Elci, Kayseri, MA-324, Prosementi, Desica, MA-414, Gara, Prista, Hemedan, P-5693 and MA-525) were used as treatment material. Experimental design was completely block with three replication. As a result of experiment, Bilensoy, Desica, Elci, MA-414, MA-324 and MA-525 cultivars produced more forage and crude protein yield compared to the other six alfalfa cultivars. Clearly, the results indicated that Bilensoy and Desica cultivars had the highest crude protein rate and crude protein yield; therefore, they seemed more promising in forage production in the area.

INTRODUCTION

Alfalfa, often called queen of the forages is one of the most important forage plants in the world. It has highest feeding value for farm animals of all commonly grown hay crops. It produces more protein per hectare than the other forage or grain crops. Alfalfa has a high mineral content and contains at least 10 different vitamins; therefore, it is an important source of vitamins (Barnes et al., 1995).

Alfalfa originated near Iran and East Anatolia region of Turkey, but related forms and species are found as wild plants scattered over Asia and into Siberia. Alfalfa can survive temperatures below -25°C in cool region of world and above 50°C in hot region of world. Alfalfa is also highly drought tolerant, it becomes dormant during periods of severe drought and resumes growth when moisture conditions become favorable (Hall et al., 1988).

Alfalfa grows well on irrigated, fertile soils in the dry climates of the Turkey. It is also one of only a few crops grown in every region of Turkey. However, herbage and grain yields of alfalfa cultivars change depending on environmental conditions of region. Therefore, the best alfalfa cultivars or ecotypes for each region of Turkey should be determined (Avcioglu and Soya, 1977).

Sengul et al. (1992) reported that green herbage and hay yield of different alfalfa cultivars in East Anatolia region change between 395.8-744.4 and 98.79-193.8 kg ha^-1, respectively. Besides, Tahtacioglu et al. (1996) reported 129.1-178.1 kg ha^-1 hay yields at different alfalfa cultivars in same region. On the other hand, Serin et al. (1998) determined 109.78 kg ha^-1 hay yield at some alfalfa cultivars in Erzurum, which is also located in East Anatolia region.

There is a little information on the yield properties of different alfalfa cultivars in East Anatolia region of Turkey. Most of farmers in Van, located in same region, usually plant Kayseri cultivar of alfalfa, but there is lack of information about performance of this cultivar. Also, some other cultivars may fit this environment better. The aim of this research is to determine the best alfalfa cultivars fit this area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experiment was conducted at the field of Van Industry district from 2001-2003. Twelve alfalfa cultivars (Bilensoy, Elci, Kayseri, MA-324, Prosementi, Desica, MA-414, Gara, Prista, Hemedan, P-5693 and MA-525) provided from different seed companies were used in the experiment.

Soil of research area was clay-loam texture and poor in organic matter content. It was slightly alkali, phosphorous content of soil was middle level (5.58 ppm) and nitrogen levels were pretty low. Besides, salinity ratio of soils was determined as low (Table 1).

Some climatic values were presented in Table 2. Long term average precipitation in Van is 380.4 mm, while total precipitation in the 1st year of experiment (2002) was 369.1 mm; it was 429.6 mm in the 2nd year of experiment (2003). Average temperature was pretty similar in both years (9.6 and 9.9°C); average percent humidity was 60.5 and 66.7% in 2002-2003 years, respectively.

Experimental design was completely block with three replication. Each experimental unit was 9 m² with 5 m length and 1.8 m width and row spacing was 30 cm. Planting was made on April 23, 2001 by parcel sowing machine.

Table 1:	Some physical and chemical properties of research area soil

Table 2:	Some climatic values in 2002-2003 years and long term averages in Van
Source: Van meteorology district records

Planting density was 2.5 kg for per decar (Tosun, 1974). As fertilizer, 4 kg nitrogen and 8 kg phosphorous per decar was applied during planting. Besides in 2nd and 3rd years of experiment 8 kg decar^-1 phosphorous was applied.

Research was conducted in irrigated conditions and plants were irrigated regularly by sprinkles. The plants were harvested by hand 3 times each year. Cutting was done when plants were beginning of flowering stage (1/10 flowering) at 8-10 cm stubble height. Six rows in each parcel, except edge rows, were harvested. A 500-600 g plant samples were taken from each experimental unit in order to determine hay yield. Plant samples were dried at 78°C for 24 h, later dry matter ratio was found by using dry plant samples weight. Hay yield was calculated by using dry matter ratio and green herbage weight. Besides, crude protein rate was determined by using this dry plant samples by Wendee analyze procedure (Akyildiz, 1984). Data were analyzed by using SAS statistic program and means were compared with Duncan test (Steel and Torrie, 1980; SAS, 1985).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Green herbage and hay yield: Green herbage and hay yields of 12 alfalfa cultivars were given in Table 3. Green herbage yield of alfalfa cultivars changed between 749.42 and 486 kg ha^-1 in 2002 and Desica cultivar had the highest yield. In 2003, yield varied between 832.81 and 494 kg ha^-1. Bilensoy and Elci cultivars produced the highest green herbage yields. On the other hand, Elci, Bilensoy and Desica cultivars had the highest average green herbage yield, while Gara and Prosementi cultivars having the lowest yield value. Besides, average green herbage yield of cultivars was higher in 2003 (663.48 kg ha^-1) than the value obtained in 2002 (623.81 kg ha^-1). Sengul et al. (1992) reported that green herbage yields of alfalfa cultivars changed between 395.8-744.4 kg ha^-1 similar to the results.

Average dry matter of alfalfa cultivars was pretty similar in 2002 and 2003 years. Hay yield of cultivars changed between 138.32-186.07 kg ha^-1 in 2002 and Elci cultivar had the highest value. In 2003, hay yield of cultivars was determined between 141.54-193.04 kg ha^-1 and Bilensoy cultivar had the greatest value. On the other hand, Bilensoy, Elci and MA-324 cultivars produced the highest average green herbage yield (183.86, 181.09 and 177.91 kg ha^-1, respectively), while Gara and Prosementi cultivars having the lowest average hay yield. The results obtained from the experiment are pretty similar to previous hay yield results determined in East Anatolia region of Turkey. Sengul and Tahtacioglu (1996) determined that hay yield of some alfalfa cultivars varied between 98.24-179.68 kg ha^-1 in Erzurum conditions. Sengul et al. (1992) reported that average hay yield of Bilensoy cultivar in Erzurum was 156.03 kg ha^-1. Also, Tahtacioglu et al. (1996) reported hay yield of Bilensoy as 161.80 kg ha^-1.

Crude protein rate and crude protein yield: Crude protein rate and crude protein yield of 12-alfalfa cultivars are given in Table 4. As can be shown in Table 4, Desica cultivar had the highest crude protein rate and Bilensoy cultivar followed it in 2002 and 2003 years while Prista and Elci cultivars having the lowest crude protein rate in the both year. Same results were observed in the average values. Besides, average crude protein values of cultivars in 2002 and 2003 were pretty similar (15.1 and 14.8).

Table 3:	Green herbage and hay yield of different alfalfa cultivars

Table 4:	Crude protein ratio and yield of different alfalfa cultivars
In a column, values indicated with different letters are significantly different at p<0.05

Desica and Bilensoy cultivars had the highest crude protein yield in 2002 and 2003 years. Also, their average crude protein yield was the greatest compared to the other cultivars. On the other hand, Prista, Gara and Prosementi cultivars produced the lowest crude protein yields. Besides, average crude protein yield of 12 alfalfa cultivars in 2002 and 2003 were very close to each other (249.9 and 247.3). Crude protein yield findings in this research were pretty similar to previous studies conducted in same region of Turkey. Sengul and Tahtacioglu (1996) reported that crude protein yields of alfalfa cultivars changed between 16.72-32.37 kg ha^-1. Similarly, Tahtacioglu et al. (1996) reported crude protein yields between 20.68-30.32 kg ha^-1 in different alfalfa cultivars growing in East Anatolia region of Turkey.

Plant height: Plant height values of alfalfa cultivars were presented in Table 5. Bilensoy, Hemedan and MA-525 cultivars had the highest average plant height as 85, 84 and 83.7 cm, respectively and Prosementi, Elci, Kayseri cultivars followed them. On the other hand, MA-414, Gara and P-5693 cultivars had the lowest plant height. Besides, average plant height of cultivars in 2002 and 2003 years was pretty close to each other.

Table 5:	Plant height values of different alfalfa cultivar
In a column, values indicated with different letters are significantly different at p<0.05

CONCLUSION

As a result of this experiment, Bilensoy, Desica, Elci, MA-414, MA-324 and Ma-525 cultivars showed the best performance and their green herbage, hay and crude protein yields were determined higher than the other six alfalfa cultivars. Since alfalfa is considered as protein source for animals, we can conclude that Desica and Bilensoy cultivars are the best cultivars among alfalfa cultivars tested, because they produced the highest crude protein yield in East Anatolia region of Turkey.