Evaluation of seed and forage yield in Stipa hohenackeriana populations in Esfahan provinc

This study was carried out to evaluate 10 Stipa hohenackeriana populations based on forage and seed yield. Population seeds were collected from natural habitat of Esfahan province and were examined in a field condition using a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Yield and yield components of seed and forage were studied. Populations showed significant differences for all traits. Rahmat abad Khansar had the highest forage and seed yield (1140 and 160 kg/ha, respectively). The first sixth components determined 97% of the total variation. Number of seeds in spike, spike seed weight, Plant height in spiking and spike length in spiking were the most important traits in the first component, seed weight of shrub, seed length and seed yield the second component, leaf length, stem height in maturing and canopy the third component, Shrub dry weight and forage yield in the fourth component, spike length in seed maturity 1000 seeds weight in the fifth component and dry weight/wet weight in the sixth component were important. Populations were classified into 3 groups and Rahmat abad Khansar, Soh, Ghalee Shahrokh and Gardane mola ahmad populations introduced as superior for forage and seed yield. The distribution of the populations based on (PCA) analysis was in agreement with cluster analysis results. Based on the results there is enough genetically variation between populations for seed and forage yield. Therefore it can use in restoring grasslands by selection indices and improvement programs.