A comprehensive evaluation of 40 alfalfa varieties in the Horqin region based on yield and overwintering characteristics

The selection of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) sativa varieties in Horqin sandy land has always been the core issue that restricts the development of the local alfalfa industry. Through field tests for two consecutive years from 2021 to 2022, the physiological indicators of 40 alfalfa varieties, such as annual yield, wintering rate, wintering buds, soluble sugar, starch, and soluble proteins in the root and neck, were measured through correlation analysis and grey correlation analysis completed the comprehensive evaluation of 40 alfalfa varieties, providing a basis for scientific selection of alfalfa varieties in Horqin sandy land. The results showed that the variety with the highest annual hay yield of alfalfa was ‘4030’, with a total output of 17 082 kg·ha⁻¹. The overwintering rate and number of overwintering buds vary among different varieties of alfalfa with ‘Juneng 601’ and ‘Zhaodong’ alfalfa having the highest overwintering rate, 93.48% and 89.41%, respectively, significantly higher than other varieties (P < 0.05). The number of overwintering buds in ‘3010’ is the highest, at 16.20 and although there is no significant difference in the number of overwintering buds compared to ‘4030’ and ‘Juneng Salt Tolerance’ (P > 0.05), it is significantly higher than other varieties (P < 0.05). Before overwintering, the highest content of soluble sugar, starch, and soluble protein was present in the root and neck of the ‘Adina’ ‘Juneng 801’ and ‘WL168HQ’ varieties, respectively. Using the grey correlation method (resolution coefficient ρ = 0.5) through comprehensive evaluation, six varieties were obtained: ‘Adina’ ‘4030’ ‘Kangsai’ ‘3010’ ‘Zhongmu No.1’ and ‘WL168HQ’, which had the highest correlation degree and were suitable for planting in Horqin sandy land.