Variation in maturity, stolon development and frost resistance of Glycine javanica

Abstract

Introductions of G. javanica showed wide variation in flowering time, seed set, seed yield, stolon development, and frost resistance at Lawes in south-eastern Queensland. The discontinuous variation in flowering time of 50 introductions over 103 days at Lawes has enabled very early, early, midseason, and late maturity types to be defined. These maturity classes hold equally well when applied at 'Lansdown' in north Queensland. With the exception of C.P.I. 25336, only very early and early introductions set seed in large areas of south-eastern Queensland where frosts are experienced in June and July. C.P.I. 25336, an early variety with an extended flowering period, did not set seed before the first heavy frost on June 24, 1961. The association of maturity type, stolon development, and frost resistance with the country of origin of the introductions is mentioned and the significance of these characters in adapting G. javanica to Australian conditions is discussed.