Publication Date
1997
Description
The Peoples Republic of China is the center of origin of several species of the section Platycarpae, which could contain genes for drought and cold tolerance that would be of significant benefit to cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Of particular interest are Medicago archiducis-nicolai Sirjaev, M. edgeworthii Sirjaev, and M. ruthenica (L.) Ledebour. Of 105 M. ruthenica accessions collected from 15 diverse environments in Inner Mongolia, 50 were evaluated in the field at Beltsville MD (USA) in 1993 and 1994 on an acid soil (pH 6.4) deficient in boron and potassium. Significant variation was noted for stand retention, reaction to environmental stress (possibly boron deficiency), and seven other agronomic characters. Germplasm collected from Platycarpae in future PRC explorations will be evaluated in a similar manner. Analyses indicate that M. ruthenica may have the potential to become a new forage crop and/or provide genes that could be of considerable benefit to cultivated alfalfa.
Citation
Cambell, T A.; Bao, G; and Xia, Z L., "Collection and Evaluation of the Section Platycarpe from the Peoples Republic of China" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 1.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session12/1
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Collection and Evaluation of the Section Platycarpe from the Peoples Republic of China
The Peoples Republic of China is the center of origin of several species of the section Platycarpae, which could contain genes for drought and cold tolerance that would be of significant benefit to cultivated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Of particular interest are Medicago archiducis-nicolai Sirjaev, M. edgeworthii Sirjaev, and M. ruthenica (L.) Ledebour. Of 105 M. ruthenica accessions collected from 15 diverse environments in Inner Mongolia, 50 were evaluated in the field at Beltsville MD (USA) in 1993 and 1994 on an acid soil (pH 6.4) deficient in boron and potassium. Significant variation was noted for stand retention, reaction to environmental stress (possibly boron deficiency), and seven other agronomic characters. Germplasm collected from Platycarpae in future PRC explorations will be evaluated in a similar manner. Analyses indicate that M. ruthenica may have the potential to become a new forage crop and/or provide genes that could be of considerable benefit to cultivated alfalfa.
