Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

Reproductive development of Desmodium uncinatum cv. Silverleaf and D. intortum cv. Greenleaf was investigated in the field in Bali, Indonesia. Sites of varying altitude and thus temperature regimes, separated by only 45km at latitude 8°30'S, enabled investigation of the effects of temperature x photoperiod interactions on flowering and seed production of these cultivars. Floral initiation and flowering of Silver leaf on March 22 and April 14 respectively was independent of site but this cultivar was poorly adapted to the low, warmest site where it did not survive. Floral initiation of Greenleaf at the coolest high site on March 30 was 27 and 48 days earlier than the intermediate and low site respectively; date of first flowering ranged from May 3 to June 14 at the high and low site respectively. Raceme density and seed production was greatest at a July harvest at the high site due to the earlier development of Greenleaf. Greenleaf seed production is best attempted at high altitude sites in the humid tropics. Agronomic manipulation of Silverleaf is likely to be required for seed crops at this latitude due to its long period of flowering.

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Reproductive Development of Two Desmodium Cultivars

Kyoto Japan

Reproductive development of Desmodium uncinatum cv. Silverleaf and D. intortum cv. Greenleaf was investigated in the field in Bali, Indonesia. Sites of varying altitude and thus temperature regimes, separated by only 45km at latitude 8°30'S, enabled investigation of the effects of temperature x photoperiod interactions on flowering and seed production of these cultivars. Floral initiation and flowering of Silver leaf on March 22 and April 14 respectively was independent of site but this cultivar was poorly adapted to the low, warmest site where it did not survive. Floral initiation of Greenleaf at the coolest high site on March 30 was 27 and 48 days earlier than the intermediate and low site respectively; date of first flowering ranged from May 3 to June 14 at the high and low site respectively. Raceme density and seed production was greatest at a July harvest at the high site due to the earlier development of Greenleaf. Greenleaf seed production is best attempted at high altitude sites in the humid tropics. Agronomic manipulation of Silverleaf is likely to be required for seed crops at this latitude due to its long period of flowering.