Varietal and environmental variations in isoflavone concentrations in subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.)

1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
FHW Morley ◽  
CM Francis

The concentrations of formononetin, genistein, and biochanin A in leaves of 151 lines belonging to three subspecies of T. subterraneum L. and of 8 lines of T. israeliticum D. Zoh. & Katzn, were measured from plants grown in the field at Perth and Canberra, and in a glasshouse at Perth. The average concentrations did not differ significantly between locations, but did between sampling dates. The components of variance were greater for subspecies, and for varieties within subspecies, than for environmental variables other than error. Interactions were negligible, although some were greater than zero. The component correlations between concentrations of different isoflavones were generally positive where determined by environment, but tended to be negative where determined by genotype, especially that between genistein and biochanin A. Differences among subspecies In level and pattern of isoflavone concentration could be of limited value for taxonomic classification. Differences among varieties within subspecies are sufficient to promise progress in selection for low levels of individual isoflavones by conventional techniques of plant breeding. Selection for low levels of total isoflavones would be hindered, but not prevented, by the negative genotypic correlations between concentrations of genistein and biochanin A.

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 1934578X0600100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo Tava ◽  
Luciano Pecetti ◽  
Alessia Bertoli ◽  
Efisio Piano

A collection of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) genotypes from Sardinia was evaluated for the content of oestrogenic isoflavones to assess differences in total and individual compounds. Daidzein, genistein, and their respective 4′-methoxy derivatives biochanin A and formononetin, were detected in leaves and quantified by GC/FID and GC/MS methods. A large variation among genotypes for individual compounds and for the total isoflavone concentration was observed. Total isoflavones were measured in the range 0.8-13.4 mg/g fresh weight (0.3-4.5% dry matter). Daidzein was usually present in lower amount compared to the other isoflavones. Genistein and biochanin A were found in most cases in higher concentration than formononetin. Phyto-oestrogens have been shown to have both oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic properties, and their effects entail a positive role for the human health. T. subterraneum revealed the presence of higher concentration of isoflavones compared to other sources of these compounds, e.g. soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). This study provided information on the biodiversity of the natural strains from Sardinia, emphasizing the importance of these genetic resources for their variation in the amount of total and individual isoflavones.


2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. H. Nichols ◽  
M. P. You ◽  
M. J. Barbetti

Twenty-eight cultivars and 106 F6-derived breeding lines of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) were screened in the field for their response to clover scorch disease caused by race 1 of Kabatiella caulivora. Eleven of the cultivars, including Denmark and Goulburn, were classified as resistant. Breeding lines with Denmark parentage had 55% of progeny with resistance, while those of Goulburn had only 19% of resistant progeny, suggesting different modes of inheritance. Selection for resistance to race 2 of K. caulivora in the F4 generation markedly increased the probability of selecting F6-derived lines with resistance to race 1, suggesting linkage between genes for resistance to both races.


1952 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
AJ Anderson ◽  
DV Moye

In a study of the factors concerned in the effect of lime on subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) on an acid soil where nodulation is defective, it has been found that responses equal to those obtained with heavy dressings of lime can be obtained by the application of molybdenum together with only 2 cwt. of lime per acre at seeding. Marked response to molybdenum was obtained only where low levels of lime were used. Where heavier dressings of lime were applied the clover grew normally and did not then require treatment with molybdenum. Where no lime was used nodulation was defective and, during the first two )ears, response to molybdenum did not occur or was very small. Nodulation subsequently improved on the unlimed soil and response to molybdenum progressively increased over the five-year period of the experiments. In the year of sowing best results were obtained where the inoculated seed was drilled with the lime. The evidence suggests that defective nodulation of subterranean clover may be expected on new land where the soil reactions are less than pH 5.0, and that soils of higher pH but with minimum values less than pH 5.5 are also suspect. The importance of treatment with adequate superphosphate in addition to lime and molybdenum in the development of subterranean clover on this acid soil is stressed. The interpretation and significance of the positive and negative lime-molybdenum interactions obtained are discussed.


1970 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 713 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Shutt ◽  
RH Weston ◽  
JP Hogan

Studies have been made of the digestion and metabolism in Merino wethers of the isoflavones in subterranean clover (Trtfolium subterraneurn cv. Clare) and red clover (T. pratense). The dietary intake of isoflavones with both clovers was about 9 g per day. With the subterranean clover, the isoflavones were predominantly genistein and biochanin A, and slight teat length increases in the wethers ingesting this clover indicated a low level of oestrogenicity. With the red clover formononetin represented 60% of the isoflavone present and the wethers on this diet exhibited maximal teat length increases indicating a high level of oestrogenicity. Less than 1 % of the daily intake of the isoflavones was excreted as such in the faeces and urine; hence most of these compounds were metabolized or retained in the sheep. The dietary isoflavones were found to disappear rapidly from the rumen, and it was estimated by using marker techniques that the removal of these compounds from the stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum) was virtually complete. Equol (7,4'-dihydroxyisoflavan), a metabolite of formononetin, was the predominant phyto-oestrogen in the digesta and excreta when red clover was given. The excretion of 3.9 g/day of this compound, mainly in urine, was equivalent to 70% of the intake of formononetin. It was calculated that about 86% of the equol produced in the rumen was absorbed from that organ; the mean residence time for equol in the rumen was estimated to be 1.7 hr. The isoflavones were present in blood plasma mainly in conjugated forms. Equol predominated with both clovers. The levels of equol were much lower with the subterranean clover than with the red clover diet; the concentrations of the conjugated form were respectively 13 and 300-440 �g/100 ml. Equol in the free form, although not detectable with the subterranean clover, was present at 4-10 �g/100 ml with red clover. The data were considered to be consistent with the conclusion that equol accounts for most of the phyto-oestrogenic activity in sheep fed on clovers containing high levels of formononetin.


2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 203 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
D. Spencer ◽  
M. R. I. Khan ◽  
T. J. V. Higgins

A bxn gene, coding for the nitilase enzyme that catalyses the detoxification of the herbicide bromoxynil, was inserted into subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L. subsp. yanninicum). The agronomic characteristics of 3 transgenic lines (BXN 5, 7, 10) and their response to herbicides containing bromoxynil, were compared with that of the non-transgenic parent, cv. Gosse, in 1 glasshouse and 2 field experiments.The application of bromoxynil at 1.5 L/ha resulted in a 50% reduction in the spring herbage yield of the non-transgenic control but no reduction in BXN 5 and 7. The level of the phyto-oestrogens, genistein and biochanin A, in the leaf tissue were low in Gosse and the 2 transgenic lines, BXN 7 and 10, but the level of genistein increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0.85% in Gosse to 1.43% dry weight in BXN 5, and biochanin A increased from 0.35% in Gosse to 0.73% in BXN 5. The application of the herbicides bromoxynil, bromoxynil+MCPA, and Jaguar (bromoxynil+diflufenican) at the cotyledon stage in a glasshouse study significantly reduced the leaf area of the non-transgenic Gosse, but did not reduce the leaf area of the 3 transgenic lines. When applied at the 4–5 leaf stage, the leaf area of Gosse was again reduced by all the herbicides, but only the bromoxynil+MCPA treatment reduced the leaf area of the transgenic lines relative to the control. The application of bromoxynil or Jaguar at the 4–5 leaf stage depressed the herbage yield of Gosse by about 62% compared with 0–24% in the 3 transgenic lines. In the field studies, BXN 5 and 10 had similar seed yields to Gosse in the absence of herbicide application, but the seed yield of BXN 7 was significantly less than the other 2 transgenic lines. The level of hard-seed in BXN 7 was also lower at 25% compared with 55–57% in the other transgenic lines and Gosse.These findings stress the need to carefully assess the agronomic qualities of transgenic lines prior to release as although tolerance to bromoxynil may be greatly increased by the bxn gene, other important agronomic characteristics, such as seed yield, hardseededness, and isoflavone content, may change as result of the gene or transformation process.


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 625 ◽  
Author(s):  
SG Clark ◽  
RM McDonald ◽  
HC Street

The long-term persistence of 6 subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cultivars was determined by sampling seed from 2 experiments at Hamilton and Beeac in south-western Victoria, 8 or 12 years after sowing. For most of this period the plots were managed as part of the surrounding pasture and were closely grazed by sheep. Herbage yield measurements were made and seed was collected from each plot and grown in a glasshouse, in order to identify the cultivar(s) present. Cultivars used were Yarloop, Trikkala, Larisa and Meteora (spp. yanninicum), and Mount Barker and Woogenellup (spp. subterranean). At both sites, plots sown to Trikkala and Larisa had the greatest seed banks and experienced the lowest level of invasion by other cultivars or ecotypes. Mount Barker and Yarloop appeared to have persisted at low levels; their plots were moderately invaded. Plots sown to the unsuccessful Woogenellup were heavily invaded and contained only a small seed bank of Woogenellup seed. Eight to 12 years after sowing, plots at Hamilton and Beeac that were sown to Larisa produced 3-15 times as much clover dry matter in spring as plots sown to Mount Barker. At Hamilton, the plots sown to Trikkala produced 3 times as much clover in winter as those sown to Mount Barker. This study indicates that Trikkala and Larisa offer clear advantages over the older cultivars, Mount Barker and Woogenellup, for the high rainfall areas of western Victoria, by demonstrating their persistence and long-term productivity when subjected to normal sheep-grazing practice.


1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (46) ◽  
pp. 555 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Brockwell ◽  
AC Robinson

Twenty-nine lines of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), mostly selected for low levels of oestrogenic isoflavones, were inoculated with seven effective strains of Rhizobium trifolii. They were grown at two different root temperatures and their performances compared with those of the subterraneum clover cultivar, Tallarook. Ten criteria were used to assess symbiotic competence. No line was inferior to Tallarook in all ten criteria, but one line was inferior in nine of the ten, three in seven of the ten and fifteen others were poorer than Tallarook in one to six criteria. Of the ten lines whose symbiotic performances were as good as or better than Tallarook, a number also had low isoflavone levels, but there was no evidence to suggest that symbiotic competence was related to isoflavone content. It is concluded that it will be necessary to exercise caution in the agronomic or breeding use of lines Which are not consistently symbiotically competent.


1967 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 561 ◽  
Author(s):  
RC Rossiter ◽  
AB Beck

On plants of the same age, differences between leaves in the concentrations of the oestrogenic isoflavones daidzein (D), formononetin (F), genistein (G), and biochanin A (BA) were largely due to differences in leaf age. Concentrations of F, G, and BA declined during unfolding and development of the individual leaf. The maximum amounts per leaf of F, G, and BA were attained at the completion of the cell expansion stage. The appearance of D was associated with leaf senescence. The concentrations of F, G, and BA in expanded leaves usually declined during plant growth. An exception was F in the Yarloop strain. Relatively low levels of isoflavones were found in the stem + petiole fraction and in the roots, and intermediate levels in flowers. The relevance of these results to animal bioassays for oestrogenic activity is discussed.


2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. You ◽  
M. J. Barbetti ◽  
P. G. H. Nichols

One hundred subterranean clover genotypes including 72 advanced breeding lines from Trifolium subterraneum ssp. subterraneum and Trifolium subterraneum ssp. yanninicum and 28 Trifolium subterraneum commercial cultivars were screened in the field for resistance to race 2 of Kabatiella caulivora, and the resistances found were related to known resistance to major root pathogens in the region. Race 2 of K. caulivora causes severe damage on subterranean clover in the south-eastern coastal region of Western Australia and 72 of the 100 genotypes tested were resistant to this race, with levels similar to those shown by the cultivar Denmark. The unique importance of this study was that, for 12 genotypes of subterranean clover, these resistances were related to those shown to major root pathogens, viz. one or more of Phytophthora clandestina, Pythium irregulare, and Fusarium avenaceum. Availability of genotypes with such resistances to multiple pathogens is expected to be particularly valuable for the breeding/selection of subterranean clover in relation to the development of new cultivars with effective resistance to a range of pathogens that commonly occur in southern Australian annual legume pastures.


1992 ◽  
Vol 43 (7) ◽  
pp. 1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
PS Cocks

The seed banks of three pastures at Kingscote, Parndana and Waterloo, S.A., were sampled to determine the frequency of divergent genotypes in subterranean clover, and the direction of natural selection. The seeds were grown in nursery rows at Adelaide, and the resulting plants classified into one of the commercial cultivars, or as divergent genotypes. The divergent genotypes from one locality, Kingscote, were described in terms of 17 variables, and compared with strains collected from southern Australia and the Mediterranean basin. At each locality there was more genetic diversity than had been sown, both in terms of additional cultivars and the presence of divergent genotypes. The percentage of divergent genotypes appeared to be proportional to the age of the pasture, and was greatest at Kingscote, where it reached 67% of the population. The Kingscote genotypes were genetically related to Mt Barker and Dwalganup, only five out of 283 genotypes having leaf markings that differed from both cultivars. The 17 variables fell between the values recorded for Mt Barker and Dwalganup, and there was evidence of directional selection. For example, formononetin content was less, and genistein more than would be expected in the absence of natural selection. Mean flowering time was about equal to that of Seaton Park, and closer to Mt Barker than to Dwalganup. Flowering time was related to elevation above the lowest point in the paddock, the latest genotypes tending to inhabit sites at the foots of slopes, and the earliest genotypes sites on the tops. Seed and burr weight were slightly larger than expected. Hybridization was the most important, but not the sole source of genetic divergence at Kingscote, whereas contamination was the main source at Waterloo. It is likely that only a minority of the divergent genotypes was generated by mutation. The Australian subterranean clovers were as diverse as those from the Mediterranean. Those from Kingscote were also diverse, but, on the whole, had longer peduncles, shorter internodes and were taller than strains from other parts of Australia and from the Mediterranean basin.


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