Suitability of several alfalfa varieties to alpine regions in the QinghaiTibetan Plateau

A field experiment for four years was conducted to estimate the suitability of several alfalfa (Medicago sativa) varieties, including Millionaire, AmeriGraze401, Alfaking, WL525HQ and Algonguin, to alpine regions in the QinghaiTibetan Plateau. This study showed that the phenological phase of five varieties of alfalfa did not show a difference, and all varieties did not produce the mature seeds. The varieties named WL525HQ, Millionaire, and Algonguin performed well when branches per plant, height and biomass were used to estimate the suitability. On the basis of leafstem ratio, the forage quality of Millionaire and Algonguin was better than Alfaking, AmeriGraze401 and Millionaire. The wintering rate of all varieties was not different at the experimental end. Combing the productive performance and forage quality, Algonguin and WL525HQ were suitable for planting in the alpine regions with better resistance cold, which would optimize the structure of cultivation pasture in the alpine regions.