Relationship between Genetic Origin and Characterization of Varieties of Lotus corniculatus L. in Uruguay

Relationship between Genetic Origin and Characterization of Varieties of Lotus corniculatus L. in Uruguay

Changes in cropping systems have moved pastures into more restrictive environments, affecting the traditional seed crop harvest of Lotus corniculatus L. in Uruguay. This traditional harvest may have generated landraces (LR) with differences in dry matter and seed production and/or adaptation. The potential seed yield of L. corniculatus and that obtained by farmers is very different (Garcia et al, 1991). Several factors impact on achieving potential seed yield and it is possible that these constraints maybe overcome via breeding. The objective of this study was to identify LR’s with more seed production and/or persist-ence, compared with parental cultivars and determine if indirect parameters of yield components could be identified.

The study also identify the degree of association between LR and the original cultivar sown in sampled paddocks, and their ranking in terms of seed production towards new cultivars generated by INIA.