This investigation was carried out at the experimental Station of the College
of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, King Saud University, Al-Qassim,
Saudi Arabia, during the growing season 2001/2002. The objectives of the
research were to study
and evaluate the productivity, morphological and
physiological behavior of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants grown under palm
trees environment.
The results proved the important effects of palm trees shading on alfalfa
growth, development and productivity. Significant differences were observed
between the control treatment and the two other treatments. The results also
showed a significant increase in fresh and dry weight and quality
characteristics except for fat percentage. This percentage increased gradually
from treatment 1, which was located under palm trees, to treatment 2, which
was located between palm trees to the control treatment, which was located
away from palm trees, where there was no shading. The morphological and
physiological characteristics did not significantly change in spite of the existed
changes among their means.
