Seed pod shattering in the genus Lotus (Fabaceae): A synthesis of diverse evidence

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Grant

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a perennial dehiscent species with an indeterminate growth habit. Pod shattering has been a major problem as seed loss is high due to the continuous flowering and time of pod maturity. The anatomy of the pod plays a role in pod shattering. A change in the orientation of the cells in the pericarp in which unequal swelling and shrinkage occur and a lower lignification of the mesocarp have been considered as major causes. The relative humidity (RH) at the time of harvest is also a major factor. The critical RH for dehiscence varies with genotypes between 35 and 49%. Pod dehiscence is uncorrelated with plants grown to maturity under green house conditions and the same plants grown in the field. Management practices (timing of the harvest, clipping early in the season, misting, mowing and turning the windrow during drying, desiccants) have not been successful to control pod shattering. Shattering resistance is a character of high heritability and in Lotus is considered to be controlled by more than one gene. Breeding to reduce shattering through recurrent selection has been unsuccessful. Attempts to transfer the indehiscent seed pod trait from distantly related indehiscent species via interspecific hybridization, diploid bridge species, amphidiploidy, and backcrossing to birdsfoot trefoil, or similarly by interspecific somatic hybridization, have shown promise. The molecular approach has so far not been attempted but since genetic transformation can be carried out in Lotus, this avenue should be investigated. Key words: Birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus, indehiscence, dehiscence, pod shattering, interspecific and somatic hybridization

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Twamley ◽  
D. T. Tomes ◽  
S. R. Bowley

OAC Bright is a birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivar developed by the Crop Science Department, University of Guelph. It was developed by within and among half-sib progeny recurrent selection for seedling vigour and seed yield. OAC Bright has 2% higher seedling vigour and 0.8% higher herbage yield than Leo. It has similar maturity and persistence to Leo. Key words: Birdsfoot trefoil, cultivar description, seedling vigour, seed yield, recurrent selection


1973 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 811-815 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. SANDHA ◽  
B. E. TWAMLEY

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), cult Leo, was used as a base population for a recurrent selection program for seed yield. Objectives were: (1) improvement of seed yield, and (2) comparison of a genotypic and a geno-phenotypic method of selection. Two cycles were completed and evaluated. Seed yields for the genotypic and geno-phenotypic methods were 132 and 158%, respectively, of Leo after two cycles of selection. The geno-phenotypic method proved superior to the genotypic after each cycle. The broad sense heritability (61% for cycles 1 and 2), genotypic standard deviation, and genotypic coefficient of variability estimates (16.9 and 15.0% for cycles 1 and 2) indicated no reduction in genotypic variability with the geno-phenotypic method. However, the variability was practically exhausted with the genotypic method after cycle 2. Thus, further improvement with additional cycles of selection should be possible with the geno-phenotypic method but not with the genotypic method.


2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Ayres ◽  
M. J. Blumenthal ◽  
L. A. Lane ◽  
J. W. O'Connor

This co-learning study with greater lotus (Lotus uliginosus Schukr.) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) was undertaken in the Perennial Pasture Zone of New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in conjunction with 14 community groups. The overall study combined a field experiment investigating grazing management practices with a co-learning study assessing the adaptation and potential applications of these 2 Lotus species. The present paper reports on the co-learning study. Seventeen sites were established on farms situated in the North Coast, Northern Tablelands, North West Slopes, South Coast and Southern Tablelands regions of NSW. Of the 17 co-learning sites, greater lotus or birdsfoot trefoil was established successfully and yielded useful findings at 9 of 10 sites in northern NSW and 3 of 7 sites in southern NSW. Establishment failure of greater lotus or birdsfoot trefoil at the 5 remaining sites was associated with severe drought conditions at, or shortly following, sowing. Results from across the 4 regions are collated to report on the adaptation of the 2 Lotus species to a diversity of climatic, edaphic and management applications. The study has confirmed that greater lotus is a valuable perennial legume for high rainfall coastal plains, coastal low-lands, coastal hill-country and niche tablelands environments where the average annual rainfall (AAR) exceeds 1000 mm. Significantly, the study shows that birdsfoot trefoil has important potential for low fertility acidic soils on tablelands and slopes where the AAR is 650–1000 mm, especially in northern NSW.


Author(s):  
Vladimir Zolotarev

A characteristic property of legumes is the formation of hard-stone seeds. To use such seeds for sowing, it is necessary to carry out measures to increase their seeding indicators. The article provides an overview of methods of pre-sowing preparation of seeds, priming (Seed Priming). The harvest of Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) can contain up to 90% or more hard-stone seeds. Mechanical priming of hard-stone seeds of Birdsfoot trefoil increases their germination energy and field germination.


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