Abstract:This study aimed to compare the drought resistance during the germination period among four alfalfa cultivars(Medicago sativa cv.Gannong No.1,Xinjiangdaye,Zhongmu No.1 and ZhongtianNo.1),which were widely planted in Gansu.The study used Polyethylene glycol 6000(PEG-6000) to simulate drought stress to determine the germination potential,germination rate,germination index,drought resistance index and root-shoot ratio.And the membership function method was used to comprehensively evaluate the drought resistance of the four alfalfa species during the germination period.The results showed that the germination potential,germination rate and germination index of the four alfalfa species were the greatest for cv.Xinjiangdaye under all PEG concentrations,while the drought resistance index and root-shoot ratio were the greatest in cv.Gannong No.1.The germination potential,germination rate,germination index and drought resistance index of the four alfalfa cultivars all decreased along with increasing concentration of PEG.The root-shoot ratio of alfalfa showed a trend of initial increase following by a decrease,and reached the maximum values at PEG concentration of 5%,with 6.91,3.68,4.54 and 6.04 for Gannong No.1,Xinjiangdaye,Zhongmu No.1 and Zhongtian No.1,respectively.Compared with the control(no PEG),germination potential and germination index decreased most in Zhongtian No.1 at 5% PEG,and germination rate in Xinjiangdaye and drought resistance index in Zhongtian No.1 decreased most at 25% PEG.The comprehensively drought resistance during the germination period followed an order of Gannong No.1 > Zhongmu No.1 > Xinjiangdaye > Zhongtian No.1.Our results would provide guidance in the selection and planting of alfalfa in Gansu and possibly the entire northwestern region.