Objective  Growth characteristics of 20 varieties of Astragalus sinicus L. were examined for cultivation as green manure in Fujian.

  Method  In a field experiment, characteristics of selected A. sinicus plants in different growth periods were monitored for a comprehensive evaluation by means of membership function and cluster analyses.

  Result   There were significant differences in plant height, stem thick, green leaf count, root length, and root/shoot ratio among the 20 varieties at different growth periods (P＜0.05). Respectively, they ranged from 11.35 to 106.11 cm, from 1.78 to 5.23 cm, from 10.38 to 41.40, from 7.20 to 17.73 cm, and from 0.03 to 0.75. The membership function values on the varieties ranked as Guizi No.7＞Nanqiao＞Xiangxiang＞Minzi No.7＞Xinyang＞Guangze＞Pingning No.72＞Xiangzi No.1＞84(8)7-1-1＞Yujiang Daye＞Changde＞Ningbo Daqiao＞Zhezi No.5＞Minzi No.6＞Shengzhong＞Jinsha＞Dawu＞Xiangzi No.7＞Guizaozi No.1＞Minzi No.1. According to the cluster analysis, Guizi No.7 displayed best on the growth characteristics, while Nanqiao, Pingning No.72, Xiangxiang, Changde, Guangze, Xiangzi No.1, Minzi No.6, Ningbo Daqiao, Minzi No.7, Dawu, Shengzhong, and 84(8)7-1-1 better, and Yujiang Daye, Zhezi No.5, Xinyang, Jinsha, Xiangzi No.7, Guizaozi No.1, and Minzi No.1 poor. The two separate analyses rendered same conclusion on the evaluation.

  Conclusion  Guizi No.7 appeared to have the most desirable growth characteristics and was consider the top choice for cultivation promotion in Fujian.