Adaptability and Productive Performance Evaluation of Two Varieties of Lotus corniculatus in Alpine Area of Diqing in Yunnan Province

Purpose Our aim was to extend the suitable variety in the alpine region of Diqing.

Method Lotus corniculatus L. cv. Zhongdian and Empire were studied as the experimental materials and their performances were evaluated by morphological characteristics, biomass and physiological indexes.

Result The natural height, straighten height, leaf length, leaf width, fresh and dry weight of above-ground and below-ground of Empire were all significantly higher than those of Zhongdian (P<0.05), while the stem-leaf ratio of the Empire were remarkably lower than that of Zhongdian (P<0.05). Physiological analysis showed that the malondialdehyde and proline contents in root of Empire were significant lower than those of Zhongdian (P<0.05), whereas the content of soluble sugar and the activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase in root of Empire were significant higher than those of Zhongdian (P<0.05). In addition, no significant difference in the content of soluble sugar, soluble protein, proline and relative electrical conductivity were observed between two studiedL. corniculatus (P>0.05).

Conclusion Comprehensive analysis showed that Empire had the higher economic performances and the better adaptability than Zhongdian due to its higher stem, lower stem-leaf ratio. Planted in the test base of Shangri-La County in Diqing or the areas with similar geographical and climatic environment, the yield and adaptability of L. corniculatus L. cv. Empire were better than those of L. corniculatus L. cv. Zhongdian.