Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Since alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is very sensitive to acid soils, it is logical to question whether alfalfa cultivars selected for acid soil tolerance will be as productive as cultivars selected in limed fertile soils when tested under production schemes which exhibit a range of soil pH and fertility conditions, especially in the subsoils. In this paper, the value of acid soil selection for developing alfalfa cultivars productive in both limed and acidic soil profiles are reported. Selection in acid soils was found to be better than selection in limed, fertile soil for developing alfalfa germplasms more productive in both acidic and limed subsoil conditions. It was also found that acid soil selected cultivars performed as well as a high yielding commercial cultivar. It appears from these data that selection in acid soils is effective in isolating high yielding genotypes and has value as a plant breeding method for improving forage yield.
Citation
Bouton, J H. and Sumner, M E., "Using Acid Soil Selection to Develop Alfalfa Cultivars" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 3.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/3)
Included in
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Using Acid Soil Selection to Develop Alfalfa Cultivars
Kyoto Japan
Since alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is very sensitive to acid soils, it is logical to question whether alfalfa cultivars selected for acid soil tolerance will be as productive as cultivars selected in limed fertile soils when tested under production schemes which exhibit a range of soil pH and fertility conditions, especially in the subsoils. In this paper, the value of acid soil selection for developing alfalfa cultivars productive in both limed and acidic soil profiles are reported. Selection in acid soils was found to be better than selection in limed, fertile soil for developing alfalfa germplasms more productive in both acidic and limed subsoil conditions. It was also found that acid soil selected cultivars performed as well as a high yielding commercial cultivar. It appears from these data that selection in acid soils is effective in isolating high yielding genotypes and has value as a plant breeding method for improving forage yield.
