Perennial legumes for the high rainfall zone of eastern Australia. 1. Evaluation in single rows and selection of Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.)

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill ◽  
C Mulcahy ◽  
GG Rapp

A range of perennial legume species, including Trifolium ambiguum, T medium, Astragalus cicer, Coronilla varia, Lotus corniculatus, L. pedunculatus, and Lespedeza cuneata, were evaluated in glasshouse and field trials in 1989-92 at Armidale, New South Wales. Hexaploid germplasm of T. ambiguum was subjected to selection for increased seedling vigour, early biomass production and profuse flowering in glasshouse screening and spaced plant field nurseries. On an acid, solodic soil, T. ambiguum and T. medium grew modestly, Lotus spp. grew vigorously initially, but died out within 3 years, A. cicer and C. varia failed to persist beyond 1 year, but isolated plants of Lespedeza cuneata thrived. On an acid, freedraining, red-basalt soil, all accessions grew vigorously until early 1991. During the succeeding drought, Lotus sp. died out, A. cicer thinned out on the acid soil, but T. ambiguum, T medium, and C. varia remained persistent and productive. A large nursery of A. cicer accessions on the same soil limed to 5 t/ha before planting remained vigorous to the present. Superior hexaploid material of T ambiguum selected from spaced plants, originated chiefly from CPI 43909 and the ARS-2678 germplasm collection from Utah, USA.

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill ◽  
C Mulcahy ◽  
GG Rapp

Cultivars and accessions of a range of perennial legumes were evaluated in small plot field trials at 4 on-farm locations on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Variable establishment from seed resulted in good stands at 2 sites, and moderate to poor stands at the other 2 sites. In spite of this, trends in behaviour of individual species were apparent even where stands were very poor. This was exemplified by the gradual improvement in frequency of Trifolium medium at the most montane site. Trifolium ambiguum and Coronilla varia were most persistent across all sites. Good stands of Lotus corniculatus, L. pedunculatus, T. pratense and Medicago sativa thinned out within several years with M. sativa most persistent. Astragalus cicer thinned out rapidly on the relatively acidic soils but maintained a good stand at 1 site on a deep, free-draining granite. From these results and known climatic responses, simple logical rules were constructed to predict potential legume adaptation zones for eastern Australia. The zones of adaptation for the range of species are compared with a nominal zone for T. repens to identify areas where legume persistence might be improved with additional species.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Maru ◽  
Osumanu Ahmed Haruna ◽  
Walter Charles Primus

The excessive use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers in sustaining high rice yields due to N dynamics in tropical acid soils not only is economically unsustainable but also causes environmental pollution. The objective of this study was to coapply biochar and urea to improve soil chemical properties and productivity of rice. Biochar (5 t ha−1) and different rates of urea (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 0% of recommended N application) were evaluated in both pot and field trials. Selected soil chemical properties, rice plants growth variables, nutrient use efficiency, and yield were determined using standard procedures. Coapplication of biochar with 100% and 75% urea recommendation rates significantly increased nutrients availability (especially P and K) and their use efficiency in both pot and field trials. These treatments also significantly increased rice growth variables and grain yield. Coapplication of biochar and urea application at 75% of the recommended rate can be used to improve soil chemical properties and productivity and reduce urea use by 25%.


Author(s):  
D.E. Strachan ◽  
A.H. Nordmeyer ◽  
J.G.H. White

Hexaploid Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb. (Caucasian clover cv. Prairie) persisted and dominated in high country plots which received more than 100 kg P/ha at establishment. After 13 years the biomass of coarse roots (rhizomes and tap-roots) amounted to 20 t/ha. The contents of nutrients in the root fractions were approximately five times that in the herbage. This ability to retain nutrients in coarse roots may be a strategy that contributes to the dominance of Caucasian clover on this acid soil. Keywords: nutrients, phosphorus, roots, Trifolium ambiguum


1960 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 268-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. E. Tossell

Variability in early seedling vigour was studied in polycross progenies from highly selected plants rated as good in other agronomic characters and in open-pollinated progenies from previously unselected So plants. Differences were found in both groups in rate and per cent emergence, and in height and vigour at 28 days. Considering the variability observed in these characters and the favourable associations found, it appears that early seedling vigour in bromegrass can be improved by selection within the species.Seed weight was closely associated with early seedling vigour. Plants differed widely in seed weight, and in breeding for early seedling vigour it appears that most rapid progress can be made by screening breeding material for seed weight. Because seed weight did not account for all of the differences among progenies in seedling vigour, progenies from high seed weight plants or families should be subjected to a seedling vigour test to further select for this character. The close relationship found between greenhouse and field trials indicates that at least the initial screening can be done in the greenhouse.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahalingam Govindaraj ◽  
Kedar N. Rai ◽  
Anand Kanatti ◽  
Hari D. Upadhyaya ◽  
Harshad Shivade ◽  
...  

AbstractImproving essential nutrient content in staple food crops through biofortification breeding can overcome the micronutrient malnutrition problem. Genetic improvement depends on the availability of genetic variability in the primary gene pool. This study was aimed to ascertain the magnitude of variability in a core germplasm collection of diverse origin and predict pearl millet biofortification prospects for essential micronutrients. Germplasm accessions were evaluated in field trials at ICRISAT, India. The accessions differed significantly for all micronutrients with over two-fold variation for Fe (34–90 mg kg−1), Zn (30–74 mg kg−1), and Ca (85–249 mg kg−1). High estimates of heritability (> 0.81) were observed for Fe, Zn, Ca, P, Mo, and Mg. The lower magnitude of genotype (G) × environment (E) interaction observed for most of the traits implies strong genetic control for grain nutrients. The top-10 accessions for each nutrient and 15 accessions, from five countries for multiple nutrients were identified. For Fe and Zn, 39 accessions, including 15 with multiple nutrients, exceeded the Indian cultivars and 17 of them exceeded the biofortification breeding target for Fe (72 mg kg−1). These 39 accessions were grouped into 5 clusters. Most of these nutrients were positively and significantly associated among themselves and with days to 50% flowering and 1000-grain weight (TGW) indicating the possibility of their simultaneous improvement in superior agronomic background. The identified core collection accessions rich in specific and multiple-nutrients would be useful as the key genetic resources for developing biofortified and agronomically superior cultivars.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 90-90
Author(s):  
Thomas H Terrill ◽  
Breyanna Morning ◽  
Erica Courson ◽  
Bradley Morris ◽  
Harley Naumann ◽  
...  

Abstract Interest in the condensed tannin-containing legume sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) as a nutraceutical (bioactive) forage for livestock has been increasing in the United States but other Lespedeza species have not been adequately evaluated. A study was completed to determine the nutritional and bioactivity potential of Lespedeza species obtained from the USDA Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA. Accessions from 15 Lespedeza species were planted in small plots at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, GA. After establishment, forage was harvested, freeze-dried, ground and analyzed for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), total phenolics (TP), and protein precipitable phenolics (PPP). Species differences were significant (P < 0.01) for all parameters measured. Lespedeza cuneata accessions, including “AUGrazer,” the cultivar most commonly used as an anti-parasitic crop in the United States had NDF, ADF, and IVTD values of 35.7±0.4%, 26.8±0.4%, and 74.3±1.2%, while L. virginica, a native species, had 34.9±3.0%, 26.0±2.5%, and 74.9±4.2%, respectively. The L. cuneata accessions averaged 179.6±4.3 and 133.6±3.5 mg/g of forage material for TP and PPP, while L. virginica averaged 564.2±24.6 and 306.5±19.9 mg/g, respectively. Other species varied from 30.5±3.0 to 47.4±4.2% NDF, 22.9±1.6 to 36.4±3.6% ADF, 55.2±5.9 to 81.6±3.4% IVTD, and 107.7±17.4 to 283.5±34.7 and 55.2±14.0 to 139.4±28.1 mg/g of forage for TP and PPP, respectively. Based upon these results, Lespedeza species tested in this study, particularly L. virginica, have potential as nutraceutical forages for livestock production systems. As L. cuneata accessions established and grew much better than other Lespedeza species in this study, agronomic testing of this germplasm collection in other environments is warranted. In addition, determining potential anti-parasitic properties of these species using in vitro and in vivo testing would be beneficial.


2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. S71-S76 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Dvořáček ◽  
L. Dotlačil ◽  
J. Hermuth ◽  
A. Prohasková ◽  
V. Stehno ◽  
...  

This paper describes the structure and content of the Czech wheat germplasm collection. The collection, at present, includes 10 800 wheat accessions. Evaluation data, of variable content are available on 73% of the accessions, pedigree data on 80% of released cultivars. The annual distribution of seed samples to users amounts to about 1200 accessions. Attention is paid to increasing the value of the collection for users by way of deeper evaluation and choice of donors for important characters. With this intention, 8 modern cultivars (most of them with high bread-making quality) and 20 genetic lines derived from European landraces and obsolete cultivars were tested in field trials carried out over two years in Prague-Ruzyně. As expected, modern cultivars were superior in almost all of the agronomic characters evaluated. However, older lines showed significantly higher protein contents, and some of them also had a higher wet gluten content, gluten index and Zeleny sedimentation volume. However, low variability was found for starch content. Some lines with high protein content had an acceptable productivity, and could also meet acceptable levels for other quality characters. Satisfactory performance was found in lines such as Viglašská červenoklasá 12/B, Szekacz 19 37/B, Mindeszentpusztai 44/B, Szekacz 1242 47/E, Ukrajinka 52/A and Eszterhazi Mindenes 117/C. Among the new, more productive cultivars, Bohemia, RU 440-6 and Akteur combine high quality of gluten with relatively higher protein content. Selected genotypes will be further tested in a broader range of environments.


1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 290-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenn Wehtje ◽  
Robert H. Walker ◽  
James D. Jones

Field trials were conducted to evaluate weed control and crop safety with postemergence-applied herbicides in two cultivars of low-tannin seedling sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). Two applications of either 2,4-D amine at 0.28 kg ae/ha or 2,4-DB amine at 0.56 kg ae/ha controlled sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia) ≥ 90%. Equivalent control of smallflower morningglory (Jacquemontia tamnifolia) required either two applications of 2,4-D or three of 2,4-DB. Three applications of either herbicide were required for comparable spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) control. Sericea lespedeza was not adversely affected when either herbicide was applied up to three times per season over two consecutive seasons. Tolerance to 2,4-D and 2,4-DB was equal between two sericea lespedeza cultivars. Absorption of foliar-applied14C-2,4-D was greater in sicklepod and smallflower morningglory than in sericea lespedeza. Translocation of absorbed14C-2,4-D was equivalent between sicklepod and sericea lespedeza but greater in smallflower morningglory than in sericea lespedeza. Absorption and translocation of foliar-applied14C-2,4-DB was equivalent between sicklepod and sericea lespedeza. Furthermore,14C-2,4-DB absorption was less in smallflower morningglory than in sericea lespedeza.


1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (8) ◽  
pp. 1151 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. McLaughlin ◽  
M. J. Bell ◽  
G. C. Wright ◽  
A. Cruickshank

Production of summer grain legumes like peanut, soybean, and navybean is expanding into irrigated or high rainfall areas on more acid, lighter textured soils in coastal areas of north-eastern Australia. A history of intensive use of phosphatic fertilisers, combined with soil properties which generally enhance phytoavailability of cadmium (Cd), have produced concerns about the likely quality of grain legumes produced in these areas. This paper reports field and pot experiments which examine the effect of grain legume species and variety on Cd accumulation when grown across a range of soil types. Results clearly show that both peanut and soybean accumulate Cd in seeds at levels greater than the maximum permitted concentration (MPC, 0·05 mg Cd/kg) even on soils with relatively low total or available Cd concentrations (<0·5 mg/kg). The relative risk of MPC exceedance in marketable seeds or kernels was peanut > soybean > navybean, with the differences between peanut and navybean apparently correlated with differences in total plant Cd uptake. Cadmium concentrations in plant tops always exceeded that in seeds or kernel, and the testa in peanut kernel was shown to contain Cd concentrations that were 50 times greater than that in the embryonic axis and cotyledons. Significant (P < 0·05) variation in Cd content (at least 2-fold) was recorded among peanut varieties, with lesser variation evident among a limited sample of commercial navybean varieties. Comparison of results for 11 peanut varieties grown at each of 2 locations suggested strong genotype environment interactions determining kernel Cd concentration. Highly significant (P < 0·01) linear relationships were established between soil Cd in the cultivated layer (0-20 cm; 0·1 M CaCl2 extraction) and seed Cd content in field-grown soybean. However, despite observations of an apparent relationship between soil Cd (CaCl2 extraction) and peanut kernel Cd in pot studies, relationships between soil Cd in the cultivated layer and kernel Cd could not be reproduced in field trials. Kernel Cd concentrations from field-grown peanut plants were generally higher than those from pot trials, despite using soil collected from the cultivated layer (0-20 cm) of the field site for the potting medium. The presence of significant levels of Cd to approximately 60 cm in the soil profile and a general decline in pHw with depth suggest the lack of correlation between soil test Cd in the top 20 cm and kernel Cd in field-grown plants may be at least partly due to Cd uptake from deeper soil layers.


2001 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 343 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. H. Johnston ◽  
Meredith L. Mitchell ◽  
T. B. Koen ◽  
W. E. Mulham ◽  
D. B. Waterhouse

This paper reports on the collection phase of a research program which aimed to identify Australian native grasses that may be useful for pastoral purposes and for controlling land degradation on hill-lands in the high (>500 mm) rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Live plants of 37 target species were collected along a number of transects, and at specific locations, in New South Wales and Victoria. The collection sites were generally along public roads, and were chosen for their vegetation diversity. Each collection site was marked on a 1: 250000 topographic map, and detailed notes were taken of the native vegetation, geology, soil types, land use, and other features. Surface (00—10 cm) soil samples were collected at most sites and analysed for phosphorus, pH CaCl 2 , electrical conductivity, and particle size distribution. A total of 807 accessions were collected from 210 locations. At most collection sites, soils were acidic (median pH 5.6); soil phosphorus (Olsen) was in the low range (<8.5 mg/kg); and the target genera occurred with a low frequency (half of the sites yielded 3 accessions or less). Although genera collected in the study could be ranked on the basis of the mean pH of their collection sites, they all tolerated a considerable soil pH range (of about 2mp;mdash;5 pH units). Allowing root and shoot growth to recommence by growing collected plants for a short period in coarse sand considerably improved establishment success. Accessions collected in this study will be further evaluated.


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