Abstract:To avoid adverse effect of biennial trait of Melilotus on interplanted Triticum aestivum,This study aimed to explore annual Melilotus germplasm suitable for planting in southern Xinjiang.The main agronomic traits and nutritional components of annual M.dentatus,biennial M.officinalis and biennial M.albus accessions were measured and analyzed in the tenth regiment of the first division,Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps.The results showed that the growth days of M.dentatus from seedling to early flowering were 107 d.The hay yield of M.dentatus was 20,430.59 kg/hm2,which were 41.16% and 24.22% higher than that of M.officinalis and M.albus(P<0.01),respectively.The contents of crude protein,neutral washing fiber and acid washing fiber of M.dentatus were 11.94%,54.23% and 44.40%,respectively,and its weighted correlation degree was the highest among all the tested accessions.The hay yield of M.officinalis collected from Baicheng County, southern Xinjiang was 14,473.11 kg/hm2,which was significantly lower than that of M.dentatus and M.albus(P<0.01),and its weighted correlation degree was the lowest among all the tested accessions.Compared with biennial Melilotus,M.dentatus had outstanding overall performance,higher utilization value and potential to be interplanted with Triticum aestivum in southern Xinjiang.