Abstract: [Objective] To screen the high quality and high yield alfalfa（Medicago sativa）cultivars suitable for local production conditions in Jiuquan area of Gansu Province. [Method] In Shangba Town, Suzhou District, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, a total of 57 alfalfa materials from various ecological zones were sown. In the early squaring stage, diversity analysis and comprehensive evaluation of agronomic traits and yields were performed, followed by correlation analysis and principal component analysis among agronomic traits, cluster analysis, and comprehensive evaluation of membership function. [Result] The 57 alfalfa cultivars were divided into four categories. The cultivars with the lowest yield and comprehensive ranking were in the first category, and the ones with the highest were in the second category. The third category included materials with a high yield but poor in other indexes. The fourth category included the cultivars with moderate performance in yield and comprehensive ranking. [Conclusion] In this area, the alfalfa cultivars with better comprehensive assessment outcomes in the planting year are Zhongmu NO.3, North SLT, SR4030, and WL343HQ.

Key words: alfalfa, agronomic trait, yield, protein, membership function, cluster analysis