Variation of morphological and agronomic traits in hybrids of Trifolium pratense × T. medium and a comparison with the parental species

Abstract

Trifolium pratense L. is a high-yielding and high-quality fodder crop. However, it shows low persistence, which may be overcome by hybridisation with species that produce rhizomes. Hybrids between T. pratense L. and T. medium L. were previously obtained by embryo rescue. The aim of this study was to evaluate 16 characteristics (stem weight, stem length, internode number, length/width ratio of a central leaflet of the trifoliate leaf on the 4 th internode, stem thickness on the 4 th internode, average leaf area of the trifoliate leaf, weight of dry plant, was significantly higher in the hybrids compared to both parental species, which could have a positive impact on the yield. Short rhizomes were observed in the hybrids after the harvest of plants in the second harvest year. The stability of this trait and its impact on the perenniality of the hybrids will be investigated in the next years.Keywords: interspecific hybrids; morphological traits; persistence; red clover; rhizomes; zigzag cloverThe red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a widespread forage crop in the Czech Republic as well as in the rest of Europe. It is a high-yielding and high-quality fodder crop from the aspect of both nutrient content and ensilage suitability. Red clover has a high content of proteins, water-soluble carbohydrates, tannins, polyphenol oxidase and polyunsaturated fatty acids.Clover breeding is aimed at the production of fresh and dry matter that is of high quality combined with satisfactory seed yields. Polyploidy induction (tetraploidy 2n = 4x = 28) in red clover is useful for obtaining varieties with higher fodder production compared to diploids because autoploidy increases the cell size, especially in meristematic tissues, and the autoploids usually

Legume Crops Phylogeny and Genetic Diversity for Science and Breeding

“…Programs of interspecific hybridization between red clover and related species were reviewed by Abberton (2007). The main emphasis has been increasing longevity through crosses with more persistent species, particularly T. medium L. (Jakesova et al, 2011). Many other clover species are used in agriculture as minor crops with different purposes.…”

Impact of interspecific hybridization of T. pratense × T. medium and backcrossing on genetic variability of progeny

“…Tatra (2n = 4x = 28) and T. medium (2n = 8x = 64) obtained by embryo rescue (Řepková et al 1991, 2006). The resulting F 7 /F 8 and F 8 /F 9 progeny was thoroughly inspected on the levels of morphological, agronomic and reproductive traits, and this work determined statistically significant differences between hybrids and T. pratense in nearly all of the analysed characteristics (Jakešová et al 2011(Jakešová et al , 2014. However, genetic variability of the resulting progeny has never been further evaluated.…”

Agromorphological characterization, cyanogenesis and productivity of accessions of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) collected in Northern Spain

“…Genetic resources will play an important role as a source of novel traits and genetic variation for future white and red clover breeding programmes, building on past success from introduced germplasm (Pokorný et al 2003;Jakešová et al 2011).…”