The effect of waterlogging on the growth and isoflavone concentration of Trifolium subterraneum L.

Abstract

Seventy-five cultivars were used to determine the effect of waterlogging on the yield and isoflavone content of three subspecies of Trifolium subterraneum L. The 21-day flooding treatment affected root growth more than shoot growth. The relative tolerance of the subspecies to waterlogging was yanninicum > subterraneum > brachycalycinurn. These results were in keeping with ecological evidence.

The flooding treatment resulted in a general increase in leaf isoflavone concentrations. As with plant growth there was a significant subspecies x waterlogging interaction, the relative increase in isoflavone concentration being least for subsp. yanninicum.