Regeneration characteristics of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) in low latitude environments in eastern Australia
J. F. Ayres A D , W. M. Kelman B , L. A. Lane A and B. E. McCorkell CA NSW Department of Primary Industries, ‘Centre for Perennial Grazing Systems’, Glen Innes, NSW 2370, Australia.
B CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Agricultural Institute, Tamworth, NSW 2340, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: john.ayres@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47(7) 833-843 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA06147
Submitted: 22 June 2006 Accepted: 21 December 2006 Published: 2 July 2007
Abstract
Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a perennial pasture legume with adaptive characteristics and agronomic potential for permanent pastures in the high rainfall temperate zone in eastern Australia. Most birdsfoot trefoil cultivars have been developed for high latitude (>40° north or south) locations, and have long photoperiod (>16 h) requirements for flowering. However, at low latitude (28–32°S) in northern New South Wales (NSW), daylength (~14 h on the summer solstice) provides insufficient photoperiod to stimulate flowering and the level of seed-set needed for effective seedling recruitment. As a precursor to breeding, a study was undertaken to characterise a collection of birdsfoot trefoil populations from low latitude origins. Eight cultivars, two breeding lines and 38 accessions were assessed for flowering prolificacy, seed-set, morphological characteristics and seasonal herbage growth at two sites in northern NSW (Glen Innes 29°42′S, Armidale 30°31′S). None of the cultivars expressed reproductive processes with sufficient intensity to provide the level of seed-set necessary for regeneration. However, three accessions consistently flowered strongly at both sites and expressed desirable agronomic characteristics, and a further 10 accessions and the Australian germplasm BLVR5 flowered strongly at least at one of two sites. These populations provide a genetic base for future cultivar development, so that birdsfoot trefoil might become a perennial legume option for northern NSW and other low latitude regions.
Acknowledgements
This study was partially funded by the ‘Acid Soil Action Program’ (NSW Government). The authors are grateful for technical support from Emma Wilson, Regina Knight and Len Doust; for encouragement and support from Michael Duncan (Coordinator, Acid Soil Action Program); and for assistance with the preparation of the manuscript from Carmen Elvins. The senior author especially acknowledges Dr Paul Beuselinck (USDA-ARS Columbia, Missouri, USA) for providing seed of the birdsfoot trefoil cultivars used in the study, and for generously contributing expertise on Lotus research and technology; and Dr Warren Williams (AgResearch Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand) for providing seed of the birdsfoot trefoil accessions used in the study.
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