Selection for persistence in red clover

Abstract

To increase the persistence of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), phenotypic recurrent selection was conducted under field conditions. After three cycles of selection, a strain designated as CRS-16, was developed. This strain has better persistence than the check cultivars, Florex and Marino, and has a more fibrous root system. Among 4-yr-old plants, about 10% initiated new shoots from below the crown. Key words: Red clover, Trifolium pratense L. persistence, root type