Genetic variation within white clover (Trifolium repens L.) populations from north-central Victoria

Abstract

A collection of regional white clover (Trifolium repens L.) populations in north-central Victoria was made from 42 farms sown to cv. Irrigation 20-55 years ago. The collection was evaluated for characters known to be associated with productivity and persistence, with the objectives of assessing the extent of genotypic variation within the collection and determining its suitability for a long-term population improvement program for Victoria. Some regional populations of cv. Irrigation have reduced leaf and stolon sizes compared with recently sown and commercial seed farm populations. In a broadbased population derived from this collection, genetic variances and broad sense heritability estimates were high for leaf length and width, and for stolon length, characters related to productivity and persistence. These populations of cv. Irrigation may form the basis of a population improvement program to develop more productive, persistent cultivars for Victoria.