Morphological and anatomical aspects of birdsfoot trefoil and big trefoil

Rita Poles Maroso,Daniela Favero,Cerci Maria Carneiro,Simone Meredith Scheffer-Basso

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982009000900004

Rita Poles Maroso, Daniela Favero + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1516-35982009000900004

Copy DOI

Abstract

This study was carried out with the objective of describing the aerial and underground organs of birdsfoot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus (São Gabriel and ARS-2620 cultivars)] and big trefoil [Lotus uliginosus (Maku cultivar)]. The plants were cultivated in pots and harvested at 150 and 210 days after sowing. Stems, leaves and roots were prepared in according to conventional anatomical techniques. The anatomical structures of L. corniculatus and L. uliginosus differed in terms of pith cell integrity, starch content in the parenchyma root cell and underground stem cortex. The leaves were amphistomatic, with phenolic idioblasts, small vascular bundles and few conducting elements. The underground system was diffuse, with adventitious shoots that grew in two directions, had no cataphylls, emerged from the ground, and gave rise to aerial stems. The morphological characteristics of the shoot system of both species matched the recent descriptions of soboles.

Highlights

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), one of the forage legume crops introduced and adapted to southern Brazil, has a good yield and tolerates acid and low-fertility soils better than other trefoils (Trifolium spp.)
The anatomical structures of L. corniculatus and L. uliginosus differed in terms of pith cell integrity, starch content in the parenchyma root cell and underground stem cortex
As it is tolerant to acid soils, does not cause bloat, has multiple uses and excellent nutritive value, breeding studies have focused on cultivars with a prostrate growth habit and strong underground system, which allow for higher persistence (Paim & Riboldi, 1991). These characteristics are found in big trefoil (L. uliginosus Schkuhr), which has underground stems, formerly known as rhizomes (Wedderburn & Gwynne, 1981)

Summary

Introduction

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), one of the forage legume crops introduced and adapted to southern Brazil, has a good yield and tolerates acid and low-fertility soils better than other trefoils (Trifolium spp.). As it is tolerant to acid soils, does not cause bloat, has multiple uses and excellent nutritive value, breeding studies have focused on cultivars with a prostrate growth habit and strong underground system, which allow for higher persistence (Paim & Riboldi, 1991). These characteristics are found in big trefoil (L. uliginosus Schkuhr), which has underground stems, formerly known as rhizomes (Wedderburn & Gwynne, 1981). After some horizontal and underground growth, they emerged from the ground and gave rise to aerial stems

Methods

Results

Conclusion