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Variation Among Alfalfa Cultivars for Indices of Nitrogen Fixation¹

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with increased nitrogen fixation potential would be beneficial. The desirability of existing cultivars as genetics source material for a breeding program to accomplish this objective has not been reported.

Ten alfalfa cultivars contrasting in fall dormancy, date of release, and germplasm origin were evaluated as 10-week-old seedlings for indices of N₂-fixation under nil-nitrate sand culture in a lathehouse during the summer months. Largest variability for indices at N₂-fixation was among plants within cultivars and not among cultivars. The results indicated that all of the cultivars evaluated would be equally desirable as source material to improve N₂-fixation potential in alfalfa. No effects were noted which could be attributed to fall dormancy, age of the cultivar, or germplasm source.

Key Words: Acetylene reduction • Fall dormancy • Age of cultivar • Medicago sativa L.

² Former graduate student and professor of agronomy, New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces, NM 88003.

Received for publication May 6, 1980.