Evaluation of the adaptability and nutritional value of seven Hemarthria cultivars (lines) in the Chengdu Plain

The aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptability and production performance of different sources of Hemarthria in subtropical plains and select the best cultivars (lines) in the Chengdu area. We carried out a comparative experiment of seven varieties (lines) of Hemarthria in the Chengdu plain. The results showed that in terms of hay production, the yields of ‘H248’ were the highest (the three-year average yield was 32.39 t·ha^–1), while the lowest was ‘H203’ (the three-year average yield was 25.16 t·ha^–1). Regarding the nutritional quality, the gray correlation analysis revealed that ‘Ya’an’ showed the highest nutrient concentration, followed by ‘H248’, ‘H255’, and ‘H202’. Taking together the hay production and the nutritional quality indicators, the performance and quality of H248, ‘Ya’an’, and ‘H255’ were outstanding and suitable for planting in the Chengdu Plain.