Adaption of four alfalfa varieties to the alpine pastoral area in Xiahe County, Gansu Province

A field experiment was carried out to compare the adaption of four alfalfa varieties (Golden Empress, Algonquin, Alfaking and Ameristand 201) introduced from USA during the period 2004-2007 by measuring the growing period, height, branches per plant, fresh weight, overwintering rate and resistance in the Xiahe County, Gansu Province. This study showed that four alfalfa varieties performed well in the alpine pastoral area, indicating that the overwintering rates in the first year and the second year were over 70% and 90%, respectively. In the third year, the mature seeds were harvested, but its seed yields were low. This study suggested that four alfalfa varieties were suitable for establishing the pasture in the alpine pastoral areas.