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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #418552
Research Project: Improved Plant Genetic Resources and Methods to ensure Resilient and Productive Rangelands, Pastures, and Turf Landscapes

Location: Forage and Range Research

Title: Profiling environmental and seasonal variations in condensed tannins and metabolites of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivars

Author
item SAKARIYAHU, SOLIHU KAYODE - Western University
item MCDOWELL, TIM - London Research And Development Centre
item RENAUD, JUSTIN - London Research And Development Centre
item PAPADOPOULOS, YOUSEF - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item GLOVER, KATHLEEN - Agriculture And Agri-Food Canada
item BROWN, REBECCA - University Of Rhode Island
item Peel, Michael
item Riday, Heathcliffe
item KOHALMI, SUSANNE - Western University
item HANNOUFA, ABDELALI - London Research And Development Centre

Submitted to: Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2025
Publication Date: 9/4/2025
Citation: Sakariyahu, S., McDowell, T., Renaud, J., Papadopoulos, Y., Glover, K., Brown, R., Peel, M., Riday, H., Kohalmi, S., Hannoufa, A. 2025. Profiling environmental and seasonal variations in condensed tannins and metabolites of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivars. Plants. 14(17). Article 2766. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172766.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14172766

Interpretive Summary: Birdsfoot trefoil is a plant used for grazing livestock that has high forage nutritive value and the unique characteristic that it accumulates condensed tannins that prevent bloat, an often-deadly condition that occurs in livestock grazing young alfalfa. Bloat causes death in ruminant livestock due to excess gas production by rumen bacteria from rapid digestion of excess protein. Tannins prevent this by preventing rapid digestion of proteins. The variability in condensed tannins levels and other plant metabolites in birdsfoot trefoil in response different environmental and seasonal conditions such as those found in different locations have not been explored. In this research high-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry is used to quantify environmental and genetic factors that affect condensed tannins and to profile other metabolites. The investigation of eight birdsfoot trefoil varieties grown in Kentville, Canada, Rhode Island, and Utah in the United States, revealing significant variations in soluble components of condensed tannins. Geographical location was shown to have the largest effect on metabolites with the different varieties also showing differences. The results provide valuable insights into the plasticity of condensed tannin production in response to environmental cues, offering opportunities for targeted breeding to enhance the nutritional quality and resilience of birdsfoot trefoil.

Technical Abstract: Lotus corniculatus L., also known as birdsfoot trefoil (BFT), is a perennial non-bloating temperate forage legume widely grown due to its accumulation of high levels of condensed tannins (CT) in foliage. However, variations in CT levels and other plant metabolites in BFT cultivars in response to environmental and seasonal factors under field conditions remain largely unexplored. Here, we combine conventional CT quantification and metabolome profiling with high-resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) to understand the environmental and genetic factors impacting CT and metabolite profiles. Eight BFT cultivars grown in Kentville, Canada, Rhode Island, and Utah in the United States were investigated, revealing significant variations in soluble CT content. Geographical location was the main determinant factor of BFT's metabolome profile. These results provide valuable insights into the plasticity of CT production in response to environmental cues, offering opportunities for targeted breeding to enhance the nutritional quality and resilience of birdsfoot trefoil.