Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a popular perennial, non-bloating forage legume used for pasture, hay and silage throughout the temperate regions of Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa and North and South America. It is regarded as the most morphologically and biochemically variable species in the genus. Research investigating the relationships of morphological, ecological and genetic characteristics describing birdsfoot trefoil germplasm has not been done. This research was conducted to investigate if the geographic and ecological origins of birdsfoot trefoil genotypes are related to differences in: (i) crossing compatibility among diverse genotypes, (ii) morphological traits, (iii) PCR-RAPD banding patterns, and (iv) temperature response of chlorophyll Photosystem II variable fluorescence. The 28 genotypes were classified by morphological characteristics, 130 polymorphic random amplified polymorphic DNA bands, and eight ecological characteristics of the original collection sites. The ease of introgressing 27 exotic genotypes into other germplasm backgrounds was determined by using bidirectional crosses with a domestic and exotic genotype tester. The chlorophyll fluorescence transients ratios (FTR) were determined from eight
genotypes that were selected by their ecological diversity with measurements
made from 10 to 40��C in 5��C increments for 33 minutes from the time of initial
dark adaptation in 3 minute increments.
Morphological similarities among genotypes were related to the general geographic proximities of their collection sites and their genetic similarity based on RAPD markers. Utilizing genetic, morphological and ecological descriptions revealed combinations of variation among genotypes that would not be observed with single measurements. Incompatibility among crosses was
expressed as either an inability of plants to set pods or F��� progeny resulting from crosses producing inviable pollen. Reproductive barriers were environmentally neutral and randomly distributed through the among the genotypes. Intermediate crosses could be identified to bridge any combination of genotypes that were incompatible. The eight genotypes differed in their FTR responses and were grouped into two classes. However, no associations were found between genotype similarities by FTR with genetic or ecologic similarities. / Graduation date: 1998
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/33815 |
| Date | 18 August 1997 |
| Creators | Garc��a de los Santos, Gabino |
| Contributors | Steiner, Jeffrey J. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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