Publication Date
1989
Description
In our research work we consider the lucerne crop as a « system», that means a set of elements with their reciprocal relationships (Rotili 1988). The elements of such a system are the plants ; the whole of their relationships is called the « structure » of the system ; it is expressed by the effects caused by the reciprocal interference among the plants on their morphology and physiology. Both these constituents of the system (the plants and the structure) have to be considered by the breeder to improve the lucerne crop. From some hundred experiments established with material genetically very different (cultivars, polycross, selfed families) grown as in pure stand as in mixture (Rotili et al. 1976, Rotili 1979, Zannone 1985) we concluded that: 1.- A mixture of populations never overcome the best performing pure stand. 2.Mortality is a function of the genetic heterogeneity of the population, when mixtures and pure stands are cut at the same degree of flowering. Mortality is indeed always higher in mixture than in pure stand. 3.- Mortality is not at random; it is conditioned by the vigour and the position of the individual plants inside the lucerne crop system. By these results, we defined a variety model (of narrow genetic base) and a lucerne crop model.
Citation
Rotili, P; Zannone, L; Gnocchi, G; Proietti, S; and Scotti, C, "Analysis of the Aerial Part and Roots of the Lucerne Crop to Improve the Breeding Method" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 77.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session1/77
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Analysis of the Aerial Part and Roots of the Lucerne Crop to Improve the Breeding Method
In our research work we consider the lucerne crop as a « system», that means a set of elements with their reciprocal relationships (Rotili 1988). The elements of such a system are the plants ; the whole of their relationships is called the « structure » of the system ; it is expressed by the effects caused by the reciprocal interference among the plants on their morphology and physiology. Both these constituents of the system (the plants and the structure) have to be considered by the breeder to improve the lucerne crop. From some hundred experiments established with material genetically very different (cultivars, polycross, selfed families) grown as in pure stand as in mixture (Rotili et al. 1976, Rotili 1979, Zannone 1985) we concluded that: 1.- A mixture of populations never overcome the best performing pure stand. 2.Mortality is a function of the genetic heterogeneity of the population, when mixtures and pure stands are cut at the same degree of flowering. Mortality is indeed always higher in mixture than in pure stand. 3.- Mortality is not at random; it is conditioned by the vigour and the position of the individual plants inside the lucerne crop system. By these results, we defined a variety model (of narrow genetic base) and a lucerne crop model.
