ARS | Publication request: RED CLOVER CULTIVAR VARIABILITY FOR ROOT ROT RESISTANCE UNDER FORAGE AND SEED

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 26, 1995
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Environmental stresses and root rot diseases contribute to a lack of persistence in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Selection for plant longevity in older clover stands and incorporation of genes for root rot resistance have improved persistence, but the benefits of selection for improved forage persistence on seed production systems are not known. Much hof the certified seed production of improved cultivars is done in the Pacific Northwest, outside of the predominant forage consumption regions. Even though cultivars with improved persistence are available, much of the forage industry still utilizes seed of locally adapted ecotypes from the Midwest and Pacific Northwest. The objective of this study was to compare the variability in root rot of seven improved red clover cultivars and three regionally adapted ecotypes with forage and seed production in Wisconsin and Oregon, respectively. After two years of growth in Wisconsin, a high incidence of root rot in the regional ecotypes was associated with significantly less forage yield in contrast to the improved cultivars. Root rot selection in Wisconsin did not clearly influence resistance in Oregon. Seed yield was not associated with root rot resistance, but higher seed yields in unimproved common cultivars were due to increased flowering capacity following forage removal.