Abstract
Clonal plant materials with identical genotypes may be used to precisely detect environmental effects and genotype x environment interactions resulting in a more accurate estimate of genetic parameters in plant genetic analysis. In sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ), knowledge on genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with field performance is limited. Eleven natural ecotypes of sainfoin from wide geographical areas of Iran were used to evaluate genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with related traits. From each ecotype 11‒21 genotypes were cloned via cuttings. Then, clones of a hundred genotypes from 10 ecotypes were transplanted to the field. High genetic variation was found between ecotypes of sainfoin for producing viable clones. The mean values for viable clones varied from 50% (Borujen ecotype) to 97% (Najafabad ecotype). The values of within-ecotype coefficient of variation were higher than the genetic coefficient of variation. The highest heritability estimates were obtained for sensitivity to powdery mildew, plant height and number of stems per plant. Dry matter yield (DMY) in the field was significantly and positively correlated with plant height and number of stems per plant, inflorescence length and growth score. An association between DMY and percent of viable clones was found indicating the possibility of selection during the early stages of clonal propagation. According to principal component analysis, Baft and Fereydunshahr ecotypes have potential for improving production of sainfoin if introduced into breeding programs. These issues warrant further study. Keywords: Clone viability, genetic variability, Onobrychis viciifolia, phenotypic correlation, principal component analysis. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)38-46
Highlights
Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) belongs to the family Fabaceae, is well adapted to a range of soil and climatic conditions, displays high nitrogen-fixing capacity and nutritive value combined with good palatability and is non bloat-inducing (Goplen et al 1991; Frame 2005; Delgado et al 2008)
High genetic variation was found between ecotypes of sainfoin for the ability to produce viable clones
The highest and lowest clone scores, and fresh and dry matter yields were observed for ecotypes Fereydunshahr and Borujen, respectively
Summary
Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) belongs to the family Fabaceae, is well adapted to a range of soil and climatic conditions, displays high nitrogen-fixing capacity and nutritive value combined with good palatability and is non bloat-inducing (Goplen et al 1991; Frame 2005; Delgado et al 2008). Since sainfoin cross-pollinates, plants multiplied by sexual methods are highly heterogeneous and less useful for genetic analysis. Vegetative propagation is important for preserving uniformity (George and Sherrington 1984). The most widespread method for vegetative propagation of many plant species is by cuttings (Sancak 1999). The capacity of cuttings to produce roots is influenced by many factors, including plant genotype, pre- and post-treatment of the cuttings and the rooting environment (Hartmann and Kester 1983). Low levels of self-pollination have limited the use of inbreeding and inbred lines in breeding programs with sainfoin and some other forage legumes
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