Two experiments were carried out at the Experimental Farm, of Agricultural Research Center at Giza. In experiment I, 23 collections of alfalfa populations along with three checks (Sewa1, Ismailia 1 and Ismailia 94) were evaluated for forage yield and its components. In Experiment II, the best twelve populations selected from experiment I as well as the two check varieties (Sewa1 and Ismailia 94) were evaluated over two growing seasons and two years. Phenotypic (PCV%), genotypic (GCV%) coefficients of variability, heritability in broad sense and co-heritability were calculated for all studied traits. Results of experiment I indicated that alfalfa populations were differed significantly for all studied traits except plant height. Population # 17 exhibited the highest significant mean values for green and dry yields. The highest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability were detected for green and dry yields. Broad sense heritability estimates were high for all studied traits. Positive and highly significant phenotypic and genotypic correlation estimates were detected between leaf dry weight and stem dry weight and between green yield weight and dry yield weight. Co-heritability estimates were positive and significant among all studied traits. Results of experiment II indicated that alfalfa populations exhibited significant differences for all traits. Population # 12 expressed the highest significant green yield weight while population # 2 expressed the highest dry yield weight. Plant height exhibited greater magnitude of genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability followed by green yield weight. Positive and significant phenotypic correlations were detected between leaf dry weight and stem dry weight and also between green yield weight and dry yield weight. Heritability values in broad sense ranged from moderate to high for studied traits. Genetic advance was high for most traits. Positive and significant co-heritability estimates were detected among all traits except between plant height and dry yield weight. |
