GENOTYPIC VARIATIONS IN SOME EGYPTIAN CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM L.) VARIETIES FOR FORAGE YIELD

Abstract

The recent study’s objective was to detect variability in Egyptian multi-cut barseem genotypes via studying ten different commercial varieties regarding forage yield production during two successive winter seasons (2018/19 and 2019/20). These varieties, namely; Hartuor, Narmar, Sinai 2, Giza 6, Helaly, Gemiza, Serw1, Sakha 4, Khadrawy and Meskawi. Four cuttings were taken in each season. The analysis of variance in each season revealed that the mean squares due to berseem genotypes were significant for all studied traits. A wide range of variation was observed for plant height traits). Berseem varieties had fresh seasonal yield ranging from 114.70 to 137.72 and averaging 125.20 ton acre-1 in the first season. In the second season, the genotypes had a mean seasonal new yield of 146.89 with a range of 120.26 to 162.07 ton acre-1. Seasonal forage dry yield of the varieties ranged from 20.72 to 26.53 with a grand mean of 24.31 ton acre-1 in the first season, and it went from 25.10 to 29.84 with a great standard of 28.65 ton acre-1 in the 2nd season. Based on per se performance, the variety Khadrawy was identified for total fresh and dry forage yields. The values of PCV for different characters were higher than corresponding GCV values. Estimates of heritability were high for plant height at 3rd cut in the two seasons, plant height at the 1st and 2nd cuts, and seasonal dry yield in the second season. High heritability values coupled with high genetic advance were recorded for plant height at 2nd and 3rd cut in the two seasons, at 4th cut in the first season, and 1st cut in the second season. Genetic advance as percent of the mean (GAM) was found to be the highest for plant height at 1st cut in the second season (21.78 %) followed by seasonal dry yield in 2nd season (16.07 %).