Persistence and Yield Stability of Intersubspecific Alfalfa Hybrids

Abstract

Long-term persistence and sustained biomass yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stands are important to producers. Yield performance and persistence of intrasubspecific crosses between alfalfa subspecies sativa and falcata after the first post-establishment year are unknown. The objectives of this study were to measure biomass yields, persistence, and biomass yield stability in inter-and intrasubspecific alfalfa crosses derived by mating nine elite sativa clones and five falcata clones in a half-diallel. Progeny were space planted in 1998 at Ames and Nashua, IA, and evaluated for persistence, biomass yield, and biomass yield stability from 1998 through 2002. Medicago sativa subsp. sativa (sativa) 3 M. sativa subsp. falcata (falcata) hybrids produced substantial biomass yield and exhibited heterosis through the first post-establishment year, but declined in subsequent years. From 1998 through 2002 the intersubspecific hybrids had persistence equivalent to the more persistent parental subspecies, with the effect becoming more apparent as time progressed. Intrasubspecific hybrids had less biomass yield stability than the more stable intrasubspecific sativa crosses. The results indicate that selection of improved falcata germplasm for long term persistence and higher yield is needed.

The potential breeding value of snow clover (Trifolium pratense ssp. nivale (W.D.J. Koch) Arcang.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense ssp. sativum) hybrids

“…The hybrids produced higher biomass yield through the spring growth of the first post-establishment year, compared to red clover but lower in the subsequent year. Similar results have been obtained for intersubspecific sativa by falcata alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hybrids (Riday & Brummer 2006).…”

Achievements and Challenges in Improving Temperate Perennial Forage Legumes

“…This research was extended to hay production systems, revealing that the slower regrowth potential of falcata types was not adapted to intensive production and therefore not currently a useful source for heterosis (Riday and Brummer, 2004). Evaluation of persistence in these crosses have also shown that falcata persistence needs to be improved (Riday and Brummer, 2006). However, research in Australia has highlighted the potential for falcata germplasm to improve yield, including detection of substantial specific combining ability effects in Queensland test environments .…”

Genotype × Environment Interaction and Stability Analysis for Watermelon Fruit Yield in the United States

“…Genotypes respond differently to environmental factors such as soil fertility or the presence of disease pathogens (Kang, 2004). These contribute to genotype ´ environment interaction (G´E), which has been reported in field and vegetable crops (Bednarz et al, 2000;Mekbib, 2003;Riday and Brummer, 2006;Fan et al, 2007;Mulema et al, 2008;Miranda et al, 2009;De Vita et al, 2010;Panthee et al, 2012;Rak et al, 2013).…”