Ecological study of alfalfa varieties of different geographical origin in the south of the Central Russian upland

The research was conducted to study the fodder and seed productivity of alfalfa varieties, alfalfa sowing and yellow alfalfa of different geographical origin in the potential range of harmful viral phytoplasma infections («witch’s broom alfalfa») in the southern Middle Russian uplands and to identify the most productive and resistant varieties for further breeding. Seventeen alfalfa varieties were studied in seed and fodder use. We evaluated varieties and breeding patterns of the Middle Urals (Sarga, Victoria, 193-95 d, 20-89 N, Vela x Sarga), Moscow suburbs breeding (Nakhodka, Vega 87), breeding of the Central Black Earth region (Belgorod 86, Krasnoyaruzhskaya 1, Krasnoyaruzhskaya 2, Pavlovskaya 7), Canada (Dakota), Germany (Verko, Plato), France (Luzelle, Galaxy), Saratov region (Artemida). Under the conditions of the southern Srednerusskaya Upland, varieties and variety samples of the Ural breeding have the most stable seed yield - on average over 3 years of research at the level of 76,3...84,2 g/m2. In terms of total dry matter yield over a three-year period they are not inferior to domestic and imported varieties, the most widely distributed in the Central Black Earth Region (CCR), and allow for an average three-year yield of 516,8 ... 537,9 g/m2 dry matter. Among the varieties of hybrid alfalfa and sowing alfalfa, varieties of European selection are most susceptible to virus-phytoplasma infections (VPL) - the prevalence of VPL on average for three years is 12,1...16,3 %. In this group of varieties, varieties of heterohybrid cultivars and breeding samples of Ural alfalfa variegated varieties are least affected - the incidence of VPL averaged over three years is 3,3...4,5 %. The lowest incidence of VPL was found in the alfalfa yellow variety Pavlovskaya 7, with an average incidence of 1,6 % over three years. In order to increase alfalfa seed production and its resistance to VPL in the south of the Srednerusskaya Upland, the Ural varieties and selection samples Sarga, Victoria, 193-95 d, 20-89 H, Vela x Sarga and the yellow alfalfa variety Pavlovskaya 7 should be used in breeding work.

medicago, grass breeding and seed production, seed yield, virus-phytoplasma infections, resistance