GENETIC-VARIATION AND SELECTION RESPONSE TO IRON-DEFICIENCY CHLOROSIS IN ARROWLEAF CLOVER

All cultivars of arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) exhibit symptoms of iron (Fe)-deficiency chlorosis when grown on calcareous soils. Previous research has shown that arrowleaf clover is adapted to the climatic areas where calcareous soils do occur. Since arrowleaf clover is highly cross-pollinated, cultivars are made up of heterogeneous populations of plants. When individual seedlings of Yuchi arrowleaf clover were grown in the greenhouse in saturated calcareous soils, most seedling expressed severe chlorosis. Resistant (green) plants were retained and intermated through three cycles of recurrent selection for resistance to Fe-deficiency chlorosis. The frequency of occurrence of resistant plants has been increased by this selection process. Cycle 3 seedlings averaged 44% resistant vs 17% for unselected Yuchi. Highly susceptible seedlings accounted for 16% and 48% of Cycle 3 and Yuchi arrowleaf clover, respectively. Copyright 1991 by Marcel Dekker, Inc.

GENETIC-VARIATION AND SELECTION RESPONSE TO IRON-DEFICIENCY CHLOROSIS IN ARROWLEAF CLOVER Academic Article