Identification of genetic loci associated with forage quality in response to water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

AbstractPlant phenotypic plasticity is the ability of plants to express different phenotypes in response to environmental variations. Genetic bases by which phenotypic plasticity affects plant adaptation to environmental change remain largely unknown. In the present study, we characterized 26 forage quality traits in a panel of alfalfa 198 accessions in a field trial under water deficit gradient. The regression analysis revealed that the values of fiber-related traits decreased, while those among energy-related traits increased, as water deficit increased. Genetic loci for forage quality traits were investigated by Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) under different levels of water deficit. Genetic loci associated with forage quality traits were identified and compared. Similar regions were found between energy-related traits when grand means were used for GWAS. Most of the associated markers were identified under water deficit, suggesting genetic mechanisms for forage quality traits were differ between well-watered and water stressed plants. Although GWAS on forage quality have been reported, we are the first to address the genetic factors for forage quality traits under water deficit in autotetraploid alfalfa. The information gained from the present study will be useful for the genetic improvement of alfalfa with enhanced drought/salt tolerance while maintaining forage quality.

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Forage Quality Components in Grazing-Type Lucerne (Medicago sativa L. complex)

Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science ◽

10.1046/j.1439-037x.2001.00514.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 187 (3) ◽

pp. 145-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

L. Pecetti ◽

N. Berardo ◽

M. Odoardi ◽

E. Piano

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Medicago Sativa L

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GENETIC VARIATION FOR FORAGE QUALITY OF ALFALFA STEMS

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps87-142 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 67 (4) ◽

pp. 1057-1067 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

D. R. BUXTON ◽

G. C. MARTEN ◽

J. S. HORNSTEIN

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Growth Traits ◽

Forage Quality ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Medicago Sativa L

When normally harvested for hay, the basal portion of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stems is low in forage quality. This study was conducted to determine whether genetic variation for in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) and crude protein (CP) concentration of stems of perennial Medicago spp. could be identified and whether morphological and chemical traits were associated with variation in these characteristics of stems. The lower six nodes and internodes of stems and total herbage from 64 Plant Introduction (PI) accessions and five cultivars of field-grown plants were harvested twice when most plants were at the early seed-pod stage of maturity. Several morphological and growth traits were measured, and both stems and total herbage were evaluated for IVDDM and CP concentration. Covariant analysis was used to adjust in IVDDM and CP concentration of stems for differences in plant maturity. Significant variation for IVDDM and CP concentration in stems existed among the cultivars and among the accessions. Some accessions had significantly higher stem IVDDM or CP concentration than control cultivars. The M. sativa accession, PI 440496, had the fourth highest stem IVDDM and third highest stem CP, with concentrations of 374 and 79 g kg−1, respectively. The number of ridges on stems (stem shape) was significantly correlated with stem IVDDM and CP concentration with average correlation coefficients of 0.30 and 0.35, respectively. Cell-wall concentration and lignin concentration per unit cell wall of stems were both negatively correlated with stem IVDDM and CP concentration. Selection for improved nutritive value of stems may have potential for improving the nutritive value of alfalfa herbage.Key words: Alfalfa, forage quality, crude protein, in vitro digestibility, Medicago sativa L.

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SEED BIOPRIMING WITH OSMO-TOLERANT RHIZOBACTERIA ENHANCES THE TOLERANCE OF ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.)-RHIZOBIA SYMBIOSIS TO WATER DEFICIT

Applied Ecology and Environmental Research ◽

10.15666/aeer/1901_563580 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 563-580

Author(s):

Y. LAHRIZI ◽

K. OUKALTOUMA ◽

M. MOURADI ◽

M. FARISSI ◽

A. QADDOURY ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Water Deficit ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Seed Biopriming

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DURÉE D’INTERFÉRENCE DU CHIENDENT, Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. DANS LA LUZERNE, Medicago sativa L.

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps87-064 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 67 (2) ◽

pp. 451-456

Author(s):

D. PAGEAU ◽

G. D. LEROUX

Keyword(s):

Cell Wall ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Protein Content ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Medicago Sativa L ◽

Agropyron Repens

A study was conducted at St-Augustin, Quebec, in 1984 and repeated in 1985 to determine the tolerable period of interference between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) during the year of establishment. Glyphosate was used prior to seeding of alfalfa to control quackgrass. Haloxyfop-methyl, a selective grass herbicide, was sprayed at different periods after crop emergence to control quackgrass. This herbicide was applied at 3, 6 and 9 wk after alfalfa emergence. A 3-wk period of interference provided equivalent proportion of alfalfa in forage and the same level of forage quality as the quackgrass-free control. Delaying haloxyfop-methyl treatments to more than 3 wk resulted in an increased proportion of quackgrass in forage which caused a reduction of the protein content and an increase of the cell wall contents (NDF and ADF). Alfalfa density did not differ between 0 and 3 wk of interference of quackgrass, but tended to be reduced with a longer period of interference.Key words: Quackgrass, alfalfa, duration of interference, haloxyfop-methyl, glyphosate, forage quality

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Genetic variation for disease and nematode resistances and forage quality in perennial diploid and tetraploid lucerne populations (Medicago sativa L.)

Euphytica ◽

10.1007/bf00021077 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 91 (2) ◽

pp. 241-250

Author(s):

B. Julier ◽

P. Guy ◽

C. Castillo-Acuna ◽

G. Caubel ◽

C. Ecalle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variation ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Medicago Sativa L

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Effect of High Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) Sowing Rates on Establishment Year Yield, Stand Persistence and Forage Quality

Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science ◽

10.1111/j.1439-037x.1998.tb00367.x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 180 (1) ◽

pp. 39-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. G. Stout

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Medicago Sativa L

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The Effect of Insect Defoliation on the Presence and Severity of Fusarium Crown-Rot in Alfalfa

Journal of Entomological Science ◽

10.18474/0749-8004-25.2.253 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 253-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

J. W. Lee ◽

P. D. Colyer ◽

S. S. Quisenberry

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Fusarium Oxysporum ◽

Plant Height ◽

Forage Quality ◽

Crown Rot ◽

Short Term ◽

Fusarium Crown Rot ◽

Carbohydrate Reserves ◽

Insect Defoliation ◽

Medicago Sativa L

Alfalfa Medicago sativa L. (‘Fla. 77’) was inoculated with three different isolates of Fusarium and defoliated to varying levels with yellowstriped armyworms, Spodoptera ornithogalli (Guenée), to determine the effect of insect defoliation on the development of crown-rot under greenhouse conditions. There were no significant interactions between short-term insect defoliation and Fusarium crown-rot on forage quality, yield, or root carbohydrate reserves. Although insect defoliation alone did reduce plant height, yield, and maturity (18, 33, and 30% respectively) at the first harvest, no significant effects were observed at two subsequent harvests. Of the three isolates tested, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht was the most virulent. Short-term defoliation did not increase the severity of Fusarium crown-rot in alfalfa.

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