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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 61(6)

Genotype by environment interactions of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in a cool temperate climate

K. G. Pembleton A D , R. S. Smith B , R. P. Rawnsley A , D. J. Donaghy A and A. W. Humphries C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.

B Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water, PO Box 46, Kings Meadows, Tas. 7249, Australia.

C South Australian Research and Development Institute, Box 397, SA 5001, Australia.

D Corresponding author. Email: Keith.Pembleton@utas.edu.au

Crop and Pasture Science 61(6) 493-502 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP09269
Submitted: 22 September 2009  Accepted: 13 May 2010   Published: 1 June 2010

Abstract

Genotype by environmental interactions in lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) present considerable challenges when selecting an appropriate cultivar for a particular location and farming system. Data on the yield and persistence of a range of lucerne cultivars and experimental lines grown in two Tasmanian environments, Forth (41.20°S, 146.27°E, Red Ferrosol soil, under cutting with high fertiliser inputs, i.e. a high yield potential environment) and Cranbook (42.00°S, 148.03°E, Red Ferrosol soil, under grazing with low fertiliser inputs, i.e. a low yield potential environment) were examined using winter activity class as the experimental factor. At Forth, winter-dormant lucernes were the lowest yielding genotypes. In contrast, at Cranbrook, highly winter-active genotypes had lower plant persistence and dry matter yield than winter-dormant genotypes. Modified joint linear regression analysis showed that in a cool temperate climate, winter-dormant genotypes are more suited to a low yield potential environment, whereas highly winter-active genotypes are adapted to a high yield potential environment. Both the semi-winter-dormant and the winter-active genotypes were adapted to all environments. The dry matter yield of winter-dormant and highly winter-active genotypes was most sensitive to environmental conditions in winter and spring, while performance of all cultivars and experimental lines was most stable over summer.

Additional keywords: alfalfa, cultivar performance, genotype by environment interaction, perennial legumes.


Acknowledgment

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the statistical advice provided by Dr Ross Corkrey of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research.


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