Distribution and variability in development of the genus Trigonella in Asia Minor and its possible use in Australian environments

Abstract

A number of Trigonella species were examined for their possible use in Australian environments. There was a wide variability in flowering time in Trigonella. Under an outdoor autumn sowing the range in flowering time was comparable with that found within early- to late-flowering Australian commercial cultivars of subterranean clover. The upper level of vernalization response was much lower in Trigonella than in subterranean clover. Good prospects exist within Trigonella for selecting genotypes with close adaptation (in terms of appropriate developmental patterns) to a range of Australian environments, a range at least as wide as that now occupied by subterranean clover and annual medic.