Effect of different sowing dates on growth and yield of Medicago polymorpha

Medicago polymorpha can be used as green manure, fodder, and vegetable. To improve the production of M. polymorpha in Yangzhong region, experiments were carried out using Huaiyang and Wenling cultivars to study the effect of different sowing dates on the germination and survival rates, number of branches, and production of plants. The results showed that the most suitable temperature for germination of M. polymorpha seeds was 25 ℃. The Huaiyang and Wenling cultivars planted in mid or late September showed, seedling emergence, survival rates, the number of branches, and yield that were all higher than those of cultivars planted in August and early October. The Huaiyang and Wenling cultivars showed the highest yields of 3 164.7 and 1 969.20 kg·ha-1 with sowing dates of September 29th and 19th, respectively. Furthermore, the Huaiyang cultivar showed a higher yield than that of the Wenling cultivar. Therefore, in the Yangzhong area, sowing the Huaiyang cultivar in mid to late September would enable farmers to obtain a high yield.