Behaviour and productivity of different lucerne types under dryland conditions were studied. The study was carried out in San Blas (Teruel) at a height of 900 m, with an annual rain fall of 473 mm and an absolute minimum temperature of −13 °C, in a six year period.
With this aim, 14 varieties were studied: Nine Spanish upright growth varieties (Aragón, Tierra de Campos, Ampurdan, Totana, Atrevida, Alcoroches, Adyta, Verdal and Secano B); three foreign creeping growth varieties (Rangelander, Drylander and Kane) and two wild lucernes collected in Epila (Zaragoza) and Pancrudo (Teruel).
In the first year, the trial was established and no yield was obtained. Next years, the average yield was 4000 kg of dry matter/ha in upright varieties, 3100 kg/ha in foreign creeping varieties and 2100 kg/ha in wild lucernes.
The study showed the aptitude of the different types of lucerne to establish meadows in dryland. All the varieties proved to be suitable, though the highest yield was obtained with the local pright varieties. Wild lucernes showed the largest covering and defense (protection) of the soil.