Comprehensive analysis of production performance and nutritional value of 14 alfalfa varieties in the Ningxia Yellow River diversion irrigation area

A comparative experiment on filed performance and nutritional value of 14 alfalfa varieties was conducted in 2017–2019 to select Medicago sativa varieties suitable for cultivation in the Ningxia Yellow River diversion irrigation area. In this study, the filed performance parameters (plant height, number of stems per plant, hay yield, fresh to dry ratio, and stem to leaf ratio) and nutritional indicators (content of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ether extract, and crude ash) of alfalfa at early bloom were measured for three consecutive years. The dataset was then analyzed using the grey correlative system to assess varieties comprehensively. Results showed that the hay yield of AmeriStand 407 was the highest of 16.68 t·ha⁻¹ in three years, and the average hay yield of 4020MF, BR4010, Magnum Ⅶ and 55V12 were 16.47 ~ 16.63 t·ha⁻¹. The crude protein content of 54V09 was the highest of 19.46%. The neutral and acid detergent fiber content of WL316HQ were the lowest at 35.12% and 28.85%, respectively. The comprehensive analysis results show that 4020MF, Phabulous, WL363HQ, and BR4010 perform excellently in the Ningxia Yellow River irrigation area, with potential for more extensive use as a pasture crop in the region.