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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 85-96.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2024149

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Analysis of genetic variation in agronomic of half-sib families of Medicago sativa

Peng-fei HU1,3(), Yu-nong YE1,3, Tong-rui WANG1,3, Jing WANG1,3, Xing WANG1,3, Bing-zhe FU1,2,3,4, Xue-qin GAO1,2,3()   

  1. 1.College of Forestry and Prataculture,Ningxia University,Yinchuan 750021,China
    2.Ningxia Grassland and Animal Husbandry Engineering Technology Research Center,Yinchuan 750021,China
    3.Northern Yanchi Desert Steppe Observation and Research Station of Ningxia,Yanchi 751500,China
    4.Key Laboratory for Model Innovation in Forage Production Efficiency,Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,Yinchuan 750021,China
  • Received:2024-04-29 Revised:2024-07-15 Online:2025-03-20 Published:2025-01-02
  • Contact: Xue-qin GAO

Abstract:

Through the investigation of agronomic traits of 35 half-sibling families of Medicago sativa, the genetic variation of agronomic traits among families was analyzed, in order to make informed decisions on likely gain in the breeding of alfalfa varieties. It was found that there was very significant variation in traits among the different families. The coefficient of variation among different traits ranged from 5.24%-33.18%. Generalized heritability, family heritability and genetic progress were, respectively, 0.05%-69.04%, 1.07%-72.90% and 0-20.08. Plant height, stem diameter and branch number were significantly correlated with fresh herbage yield; the number of branches was significantly correlated with hay yield and seed yield; there was a significant correlation between different stubble measures, except for the ratio of fresh∶dry and the ratio of stem∶leaf. Using membership function multivariate analysis, four elite families, (designated FM22, FM7, FM15 and FM1), were identified, and the average genetic gains for plant height, stem diameter, branch number, fresh grass yield, hay yield, fresh-to-dry ratio, stem-leaf ratio and seed yield of the selected families were, respectively, 3.78%, 0.43%, 10.21%, 1.08%, 4.82%, -0.16%, -0.27% and 9.36%, respectively. There was a large genetic variation among the traits of the 35 half-sibling families, and there was a large potential for improvement. The elite families initially identified provide a germplasm resource for ongoing breeding improvement of alfalfa.

Key words: alfalfa, half-sib progeny, agronomic traits, genetic variation, genetic gains