Dark transpiration rate and water deficit as growth limiting factors in alfalfa plants

Growth, dark transpiration rate (DTR) as well as water saturation deficit (WSD) of 30 single plants of 8 alfalfa genotypes growing in experimental field of 50 × 10 cm spacing, in four cuts at early bud stage, were studied. The growth and WSD of genotypes examined were significantly different, the differences in DTR were not significant. The growth of alfalfa plants was in negative correlation with both DTR which reflects non-effective water loss and WSD. Significant negative correlation established between plant growth and its variability shows that fodder productivity in alfalfa genotypes was dependent on growth variability of individual plants. Positive correlations established between WSD or DTR and the growth variability show some of the causes of growth variability.