Morphologische und agronomische Merkmale autochthoner annueller Medicago‐Arten in Marokko

Abstract

AbstractMorphological and agronomic characteristics of autochthonous annual Medkago species in MoroccoAutochthonous annual Medicago species were collected on non‐alkaline soils and evaluated as to their potential agricultural use. 411 Medicago ecotypes were found at 108 sites. With increasing rainfall and altitude of collecting sites, a decrease was recorded in the length of sprouts, in sward height, in leaf size, and in dry matter yield. High rainfall regions were found to select late flowering ecotypes. All Medicago ecotypes tested showed broad intraspecific variation in seed yield, leaf size and seed weight. Coumestrol content of leaves at flowering was generally low; on average 115 ppm of dry matter. No relationship was found between collection sites and coumestrol content. In a field trial comparing 112 ecotypes with nine introduced cultivars at two contrasting sites, thirty ecotypes proved to be better adapted to local conditions than the cultivars.