In order to study the quantitative and qualitative yield of alfalfa cultivars in different harvest, a research was conducted in Poshtkooh region, Khash city during the season 2012-2013. The experiment was carried out as split plot at time based on randomized complete block design with three replications. Forage harvest date was considered as the main plot at three times on 30/05/2013, 06/07/2013 and 03/08/2013, and alfalfa cultivars included Yazdi, Bami, Baghdadi and Nikshahri were mentioned as the sub-plots. In the present study, plant height, forage yield, hay yield, total dry matter, protein percentage, forage fiber, and protein and fiber yield were evaluated. The results showed that Nikshahri cultivar in plant height, forage yield, total dry matter, protein yield and fiber were better than the other cultivars. However, there was no significant difference between Nikshahri cultivar and Baghdadi cultivar in some measured parameters such as crop yield, protein content and forage fiber. Also, the first harvest had the highest forage yield, total dry matter, and protein, fiber per hectare and forage protein percent. More hay raw fiber content was gained in the second and the third harvest than first harvest. Correlation results showed that there was a positive and significant correlation between plant height with forage yield, protein percent and fiber content. In addition, forage and hay yield showed the maximum correlation with the protein yield and forage fiber. The positive correlation was observed between the percentages of protein and forage fiber, with protein and forage yield. While, there was a significant negative correlation in protein yield and forage protein percent with fiber yield and percentage. |