WINTER HARDINESS EVALUATION IN ALFALFA

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Abstract
A study was undertaken to determine the relationship between carbohydrate content in the roots of alfalfa varieties in the fall and winter hardiness of the varieties. Several agronomic characters were also considered in relation to winter hardiness. Winter injury was found to be inversely proportional to the hexosan content. Growth recovery in the fall was also associated with winter injury; the faster the recovery, the greater the winter injury of the variety. Rapid growth recovery and hexosan content were closely associated. Root development m the seedling year was slower in hardy varieties than in less hardy ones. It was concluded that a combination of the recovery characteristic and hexosan content in the roots could be used in screening alfalfa material for hardiness qualities. It is suggested that the roots of selections made from F2 populations, originating from hybrids between hardy and non-hardy stocks, could be analysed for hexosan content in the fall and accordingly classified into hardiness groups. The roots could be used for this purpose, while stem cuttings could serve the propagation requirements.