Introduction Alfalfa In The Xerothermic Valley Area Of South China And Evaluation Of The Ecological And Economic Effect

With the development of ecological husbandry industry, there needs a lot of legumes in xerothermic valley area of South China, but the traditional legumes such as red clover and white clover can not suit the special area of lower altitude. Recent years, with the expending of cultural alfalfa, we found it might suit the special climate with the strong roots, so we designed a experiment in the NingNan Suburb Farm (altitude 1100m) and Mashangping, Xinjian Country of NingNan (altitude 1400-1485) from June, 2002 to Auguest, 2004, with the objective to plant alfalfa in the xerothermic valley area. We have choosed six introduction cultivars as experimental materials including Millennium, Eureka, WL323ML, AlfaKing, Algonquin and WL525HQ. We have researched on the adaptability, productivity, utility of the cultivars, and also analyzed the economic effect. The results showed that:1. The phonological growth habits were relative to the characteristics of cultivars. The higher degree dormancy alfalfas such as Millennium, Eureka, WL525HQ had the same growth habits, the same as the lower degree dormancy alfalfas such as AlfaKing, WL323ML, and Algonquin. When planted the alfalfa in the first 10-day period of Oct., seeding after 6 to 10 days, flower in March and seed in May next year. There is no dormancy period in lifespan. Comparing with the cultivars, early flower of Millennium, Eureka, WL525HQ aheaded 4 to 7 days, and seed production aheaded 10 to 13 days , to AlfaKing, WL323ML, and Algonquin.2. All cultivars had good winter hardiness in xerothermic valley area. Big difference existed in summer hardiness. Millennium could survived 90.9%, Eureka, WL525HQ, WL323ML more than 80%, AlfaKing and Algonquin, 68.7% and 69.6% respectively. Millennium, Eureka, WL525HQ were good at heat tolerance and suited in the hot summer place.3. Millennium, Eureka, WL525HQ , good legumes with high yields, ample leaves ,high quality, palatability . and strong regrowth habits, the yields were 54279.6, 47508.8, 48708.8 kg/hm2 respectively. But the yield of lower degree dormancy cultivarsdecreased, which showed different productivity in cultivars. All introductions had high crud protein, Millennium, the highest, was 23.7%; Eureka, AlfaKing, Algonquin ,22.8%, 21.75%, 20.95% respectively; the other two cultivars, more than 19%. The dry matter of introduction were more than 20%, that indicated the super environment condition with enough light and heat contributed the accumulation of dry matters.4. High degree dormancy alfalfas had good ecological and economic effect. Runoff of slopeland under monocultural system was reduced to 48.7%, and soil loss was reduce to 92.2%, comparing with the Maize - potato System. The profit of planting Millennium was 1867 yuans per mu, more than that of planting Maize- potato System, with 1062.5 yuans, while plant sweet stem , 1148 yuans per mu. The lower degree dormancy cultivars such as WL323ML and Algonquin could not popularize for low yield.5. In general , Millennium, WL525HQ, Eureka were choosed to popularize in the xerothermic valley for adaptability . high productivity and quality, good palatability , regrowth and economic abilities.