Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are commonly grown together in pastures of the southeastern USA. Allelopathy of tall fescue may reduce white clover germination and growth during establishment of the legume. The objective of this study was to determine if white clover genotypes differ in germination and initial growth in extracts of tall fescue leaves. Agar containing leaf extracts from tall fescue was used to test the germination and root growth of forty white clover genotypes. Significant differences were found between the genotypes for percent germination and root length score. Root length score gave a better indication of the allelopathic effect of tall fescue than germination percentages. Thirteen genotypes were identified which showed no reduction in germination or root length due to tall fescue leaf extracts. If the trait is heritable, white clover populations with tolerance to tall fescue toxicity could be developed to avoid the effect of tall fescue allelopathy on white clover stand establishment.
Citation
Rederson, G A., "Allelopathic Effects of Tall fescue on Germination and Seedling Growth of White Clover Genotypes" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 52.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/52)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Allelopathic Effects of Tall fescue on Germination and Seedling Growth of White Clover Genotypes
Kyoto Japan
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) are commonly grown together in pastures of the southeastern USA. Allelopathy of tall fescue may reduce white clover germination and growth during establishment of the legume. The objective of this study was to determine if white clover genotypes differ in germination and initial growth in extracts of tall fescue leaves. Agar containing leaf extracts from tall fescue was used to test the germination and root growth of forty white clover genotypes. Significant differences were found between the genotypes for percent germination and root length score. Root length score gave a better indication of the allelopathic effect of tall fescue than germination percentages. Thirteen genotypes were identified which showed no reduction in germination or root length due to tall fescue leaf extracts. If the trait is heritable, white clover populations with tolerance to tall fescue toxicity could be developed to avoid the effect of tall fescue allelopathy on white clover stand establishment.
