Seed production trait associations and inheritance in interspecific hybrids between Trifolium repens (white clover) and Trifolium uniflorum
Muhammad Naeem A B , I. M. Verry C , P. D. Kemp A , J. P. Millner A and W. M. Williams A C D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A College of Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
B Current address: Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Islamabad, Pakistan.
C AgResearch Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
D Corresponding author. Email: warren.williams@agresearch.co.nz
Crop and Pasture Science 68(9) 885-892 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP17048
Submitted: 3 February 2017 Accepted: 11 September 2017 Published: 18 October 2017
Abstract
Trifolium repens L. (white clover) is an important component of temperate pastures, but its root morphology makes it vulnerable to drought and pest attack. T. uniflorum is a wild species, adapted to dry environments, with deep woody roots but poor vegetative growth and only 1–3 florets per inflorescence (head). Interspecific hybridisation to incorporate the drought tolerance and root characteristics of T. uniflorum into white clover led to primary hybrids (F1 and BC1) with poor seed production. Advanced-generation hybrids expressed high variation for almost all seed-production traits, and seed production responded to selection. To inform future breeding programs, trait associations and heritabilities were analysed. Numbers of heads per plant, florets per head and seeds per floret were important factors with moderate–high heritabilities. The derived traits, numbers of seeds per head, florets per plant and seeds per plant, expressed low–moderate heritabilities. No negative associations between seed production and root traits were found in the hybrids, nor were there any negative associations among head production, persistence and foliage production. Selection for improved seed-production traits should be effective without adversely affecting vegetative traits.
Additional keywords: inflorescence size, floret number, seed yield.
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