Behaviour and characterisation of a selection of alfala varieties ("Medicago sativa" L.) in the region of Ouargla

Abstract

The present article deals with an experiment on the expression of some morphological characters that reflect the behaviour of the alfalfa "Medicago sativa "L. in the Saharan edaphic and climatic conditions of the region of Ouargla. The study was conducted on 5 introduced varieties of different origins - Romaniola and Lodi (Italy); Gabès 2355 (Tunisia); 3210 and Magali 3376 (France)- and on 7 populations from the Algerian Sahara - In-Salah, Temacine (Touggourt), Chott (Ouargla), El-Meniaa, Ghardaïa, Timimoun, Aoulef (Adrar). The parameters considered are the agronomical and the morphological characters: Number of ramifications per plant (RAM), number of leaves per stalk (NFT), number of leaves per plant (NFP), stalk height (HTI), stalk diameter (DT), length and width of the fifth (LO5F and LA5F) and the sixth leaves (LO6F and LA6F), number of flowers per inflorescence (FIF), number of flowers per plant (FPL), weight of dry and fresh matter (PS and PF), fresh and dry leaves ratio per stalk (FTS et FTF), seed diameter (DGR), number of seeds per plant (GPL), number of pods per plant (GP), number of seeds per pod (G\\G), weight of thousand seeds (PMG), duration of cycle (DCY), time for the first flower to appear (D1F), and ermination power of the seeds obtained (FG). Distinctive data for the origin of populations and varieties as well as a few special characters of those populations and varieties are displayed in a group of tables. After sprouting, the Romaniola variety (V12) continued growing like the others up to 10-12 cm when it started drying up and then died. Results were analysed using the Principal components analysis method (PCA). The populations or varieties that stand out are as follows: Gabes 2355 with a high value for variables FPL, HT, PS, PF, RAM, and NFP; In-Salah which had the highest DCY and PMG; Temacine for the highest LA5F, LO5F, LO6F, GG, and PMG; Aoulef distinguished by the shortest D1F; additionally, 3210, Aoulef, El-Meniaa, and Lodi showed heterogeneous individuals, which leads one to conclude that they have a wide genetic base. Magali 3376, Ghardaïa, Chott, and Timimoun had no performances that could make them stand apart from the whole, in terms of the parameters retained for this experiment.