ARS | Publication request: VARIATION OF CONDENSED TANNINS IN ROUNDHEAD LESPEDEZA

Submitted to: Trifolium Conference Abstract & Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 24, 2002
Publication Date: April 10, 2002
Citation: Proceedings of Trifolium Conference. 2002. p. 22.

Technical Abstract: Roundhead lespedeza, Lespedeza capitata Michx., is a deep-rooted, perennial legume native to the eastern and central United States and is relatively common on remnant upland prairies throughout the Midwest. Information on condensed tannin (CT) concentration from different plant parts of available germplasm is needed for cultivar development and also to provide data for developing management and feeding strategies. We analyzed the CT concentration from leaves, stems, and inflorescences from 39 roundhead lespedeza plant introductions grown in two environments. We found that variation due to the environment was low, variation due to plant introduction (genotype) was high, and variation due to genotype x environment interaction was high. Of these 39 plant introductions, we selected eight that were common to both environments that had low CT concentrations in leaves at flowering. The CT content of these plant introductions; however, was still relatively high when compared with other Lespedeza species that were bred for low tannin content.