Location: Forage and Range Research
Project Number: 2080-21000-018-008-I
Project Type: Interagency Reimbursable Agreement
Start Date: Sep 4, 2015
End Date: Apr 30, 2020
Objective:
1) Bring together common-garden, molecular marker, and environmental data of Utah trefoil collections to determine appropriate germplasm releases.
2) Determine seed treatments that maximize germination in Utah trefoil germplasm releases.
3) Identify planting depths and seasons that will give the best establishment of Utah trefoil.
Approach:
We will use AFLP markers as quick, efficient, and robust DNA markers to assess collection relationships and gene flow. We will use multivariate analyses of collection-site environmental data, molecular marker data, and common-garden measures to create appropriate germplasm release strategies. Based on germplasm selected in Objective 1, the effects of various seed treatments (scarifications, boiling water treatment, and control) and age of seed (newly harvested or one-year-old seed) will be investigated for Utah trefoil. Seeds from the most promising collections will be planted in replicated fall dormant and spring plantings at several locations. First and second year establishment/survival will be recorded at each of the test sites to identfy best seeding practices.
