Abstract: The potted planting experiments of three forages along the vertical zones of the southern foot of east Qilian Mountains were analyzed.The results showed that Festuca sinensis Keng could not germinate and grow at all of the altitudes except in 3400m,while both Elymus nutans Griseb and Poa crymophila Keng completed life history at the different altitudes.Moreover,the aboveground biomass,underground biomass and total biomass of Elymus nutans Grise and Poa crymophila Keng descended with altitudes ascended,and that the biomass of the former species was higher than the latter.Plant height and root length of two forages were different along altitudes ascended,which were highest for both forages in 3400m.Therefore,Elymus nutans Grise and Poa crymophila Keng were the selected as plating forages in the alpine steppes,while Festuca sinensis Keng required rigorous conditions for growth and was difficult to grow in the this area.

Key words: Three forages, Three forages, Southern foot of East Qilian Mountains, Potted planting experiment