Comprehensive character evaluation of alfalfa cultivars mainly introduced in the Yumen area

To select suitable alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars for planting in the Yumen region. This study selected 15 alfalfa cultivars with relative large planting area and selected Gannong No.3 as control to analyze its productivity and nutritional quality by using the grey correlation method, and then classified these cultivars by using the range method. This study showed that Adrenalin height with second and third age was 98.17 and 90 cm, which significantly higher than control, and Adrenalin with the ratio of dry matter to fresh of the first and third age were 3.13%, which lower than control. Derby and Stockpile T has the highest hay yield compared to control, the hay yield of Derby and Stockpile were 5.83 and 5.82 t·ha^–1, repectively. Crude protein content ranged from 7.26%～20.62%, the neutral detergent fiberand the acid detergent fiber ranged from 40.21%～45.64% and 30.43%～35.10%, respectively. WL343HQ, Concept and WL363HQ has the relatively higher dry matter intake, digestible dry matter and relative feeding value, and the value were 2.99%, 65.20%, and 147.32, respectively. These results suggest that Stockpile T and Liangmu No.2 has higher hay yield, and WL343HQ, and WL363HQ has good nutrient quality, indicating that Derby, Golden Empress, WL363HQ and WL343HQ has the greatest performance in the Yumen area.