Description
A two-stage, tandem, recurrent-selection program is proposed to improve acid-soil tolerance of white clover, Trifolium repens L. In stage one, we evaluate root growth of very young seedlings, grown in an highly-acid Al toxic soil. Although the relationship between the acid-soil response of very young seedlings and that of mature white clover is unknown, the failure of white clover to become established on a highly-acid, Al-toxic soil suggests that establishment is a critical stage of plant development on such soils. In stage two we reevaluate genotypes selected in stage one, in a small-pot study at two lime levels, to separate the effects of plant vigor and acid-soil tolerance, account for any effects of growth stage on evaluation results and ensure that all genotypes selected are vigorous in soils with a higher pH.
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Selecting Acid-Soil Tolerant White Clover
A two-stage, tandem, recurrent-selection program is proposed to improve acid-soil tolerance of white clover, Trifolium repens L. In stage one, we evaluate root growth of very young seedlings, grown in an highly-acid Al toxic soil. Although the relationship between the acid-soil response of very young seedlings and that of mature white clover is unknown, the failure of white clover to become established on a highly-acid, Al-toxic soil suggests that establishment is a critical stage of plant development on such soils. In stage two we reevaluate genotypes selected in stage one, in a small-pot study at two lime levels, to separate the effects of plant vigor and acid-soil tolerance, account for any effects of growth stage on evaluation results and ensure that all genotypes selected are vigorous in soils with a higher pH.
