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This trial was conducted to assess the suitability of one local and eight introduced lucerne (Medicago sativa) cultivars to seasonally dry conditions in the semi-arid region of west China. The foliage yield, root biomass, decline in plant density and proline accumulation in leaf were significantly different between the nine lucerne cultivars after two dry seasons. `Ameristand201’ and `Algonquin’ cultivars performed well based on foliage yield. Root biomass of `Ameristand201’ and `Sandili’ was significantly greater than that of the other seven cultivars. `Ameristand201’ was the best cultivar in drought resistance, with higher proline accumulation in its plant leaves. `Sandili’ and `Longdong’ cultivars both had good persistence and a low decline in plant density with time. Adopting the Analytical Hierarchy Process, a new procedure for evaluating lucerne genotypes for semi-arid land was proposed by combining these indicators based on experts’ and farmers’ suggestions. The suitability of the nine cultivars decreased in the order: `Ameristand201’, `Sandili’, `Algonquin’, `Amerigraze401’, `Deft’, ’Goldenempress’, `Derby’, `Sitel’, and `Longdong’. This study indicated that `Ameristand201’ and `Sandili’ were the cultivars most suitable for sowing in the semi-arid regions of west China.