Desmodium Research Articles

Effects of Temperature on Germination of 10 Native Legume Species

Seeds of 10 species of legumes native to Missouri germinated poorly when the temperature was lower than 15 °C (59 °F). The fastest time to first germinated seed occurred at 20 °C (68 °F) for all species except purple and white prairie clover, which germinated first at 25 °C (77 °F). The fastest germination rate was first reached at 20 °C (68 °F) for hoary tick clover, sessile tick clover, and slender lespedeza, at 25 °C (77 °F) for white prairie clover, purple prairie clover, panicled tick clover, hairy lespedeza, and tall lespedeza, and at 30 °C (86 °F) for Illinois bundleflower and roundhead lespedeza. Maximum total germination percentage also varied among species. For both the prairie clovers and roundhead lespedeza, hairy lespedeza, and slender lespedeza, the lowest temperature at which maximum total germination percentage occurred was 15 °C (59 °F). For Illinois bundleflower and the 3 tick clovers, the lowest temperature at which maximum total germination percentage occurred was 20 °C (68 °F). For most species, the fastest germination rate occurred at a higher temperature than the maximum germination percentage. Many species attained maximum germination percentage and fastest germination rate across a range of temperatures rather than at a single optimal temperature. Species that rapidly and completely germinate across a wide range of temperatures should germinate more reliably under variable soil conditions than species that exhibit a narrow range.

Predicting the spatial distribution of ground flora on large domains using a hierarchical Bayesian model

Accomodation of important sources of uncertainty in ecological models is essential to realistically predicting ecological processes. The purpose of this project is to develop a robust methodology for modeling natural processes on a landscape while accounting for the variability in a process by utilizing environmental and spatial random effects. A hierarchical Bayesian framework has allowed the simultaneous integration of these effects. This framework naturally assumes variables to be random and the posterior distribution of the model provides probabilistic information about the process. Two species in the genus Desmodium were used as examples to illustrate the utility of the model in Southeast Missouri, USA. In addition, two validation techniques were applied to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the predictions.

Karyomorphological Observations in Desmodium Desv. and Its Related Taxa of Nepal

Chromosome number and karyomorphology of some species of the genus Desmodium Desv. and its related taxa, viz. D. concinnum DC. var. retusum (D. Don) H. Ohashi, D. heterocarpon (L.) DC. var. heterocarpon, D. laxiflorum DC., D. microphyllum (Thunb.) DC., D. podocarpum subsp. oxyphyllum var. mandschuricum Maxim., D. podocarpum DC. subsp. podocarpum and D. triflorum (L.) DC., Butea minor Buch.-Ham. ex Baker, Crotalaria cytisoides Roxb. ex DC. and Piptanthus nepalensis (Hook.) D. Don collected from different climatic regions of Nepal were observed. The basic numbers of chromosomes in Desmodium species was 11. It was recorded to be 9 in B. minor and P. nepalensis, and 8 in C. cytisoides. The chromosomes of the genus Desmodium were mostly medium and small in length throughout except in D. podocarpum. In D. podocarpum, B. minor, C. cytisoides and P. nepalensis chromosomes were large and medium.

Five New Species of Meibomeus Bridwell from the New World with Host Records for them and Six Named Species (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

The five new species, Meibomeus dirli, M. jacki, M. juarez, M. kirki, and M. rodneyi, are described. The taxonomic relationships between the new species of Meibomeus Bridwell and named species are discussed. Valuable new taxonomic characters used are basal or apical metasternal spines in some species. Host plants are reported for the five new species and for the named species Meibomeus apicicornis (Pic), M. howdeni Kingsolver and Whitehead, M. mitchelli Kingsolver and Whitehead, M. panamensis Kingsolver and Whitehead, M. ptinoides (Sharp), and M. surrubresus (Pic). The hosts of all known species of Meibomeus are compiled. All hosts are in the Fabaceae, subfamily Papilionoideae. About 60% of the hosts are in the genus Desmodium Desv. Species in the genera Desmodium, Aeschynomene L., Lespedeza Michx., Indigofera L., and Coursetia DC. are reported to have their seeds fed upon by species of Meibomeus.

Seed compositional studies of some species of Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) native to Argentina

AbstractSeeds of 17 wild leguminous species belonging to the Papilionoideae subfamily were analysed for their proximate, fatty acid and sterol compositions. Centrosema virginianum, Tipuana tipu, Adesmia volckmanni and some species of Desmodium contained high amounts (>300 g kg−1) of protein. Geoffroea decorticans and Clitoria cordobensis were noteworthy for their high oil content (>350 g kg−1). The seed lipids had a high proportion of unsaturated (oleic and linoleic mainly) fatty acids. Linolenic acid had the highest value in Adesmia volckmanni (25.4% of total fatty acids). β‐Sitosterol was the major component of the sterol fraction. Chemical analyses indicated that all species studied are suitable sources of animal feed.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry

Habitat management strategies for the control of cereal stemborers and striga in maize in Kenya

Maize is the principal food and cash crop for millions of people in the predominantly mixed crop-livestock farming systems in Kenya. Stemborers and striga (Striga hermonthica) are major constraints to increased maize production in eastern Africa. An intercropping and trap crop system has been developed, using a ’push-pull’ strategy, for the control of stemborers in small scale maize farming systems. The ’push-pull’ strategy involves trapping stemborers on highly susceptible trap plants (pull) and driving them away from the crop using repellent intercrops (push). Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) and Sudan grass (Sorghum vulgare sudanense Stapf.) are used as trap plants, whereas molasses grass (Melinis minutiflora Beauv.) and two species of desmodium (Desmodium uncinatum Jacq. and Desmodium intortum Urb.) repel ovipositing stemborers. The integrated ’push-pull’ strategies were shown to increase parasitism of stemborers through attraction of parasitoids to one of the intercrops, molasses grass. The leguminous intercrop, silver leaf desmodium, drastically reduced damage to maize by the parasitic weed, striga. This aspect was further investigated and developed for integration **********w;th stemborer control. On-farm trials with farmers in Kenya have shown significant yield increases in maize farming.

Exploiting chemical ecology and species diversity: stem borer and striga control for maize and sorghum in Africa

Stem borers, comprising the larvae of a group of lepidopterous insects, and parasitic witchweeds, particularly Striga hermonthica and S asiatica, cause major yield losses in subsistence cereal production throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Studies are described that have led to the development of a ‘push-pull’ strategy for minimising stem borer damage to maize and sorghum. This involved the selection of plant species that could be employed as trap crops to attract colonisation away from the cereal plants, or as intercrops to repel the pests. The two most successful trap crop plants were Napier grass, Pennisetum purpureum, and Sudan grass, Sorghum sudanensis. The intercrop giving maximum repellent effect was molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora, but two legume species, silverleaf, Desmodium uncinatum, and greenleaf, D intortum, gave good results and had the added advantage of suppressing development of S hermonthica. In terms of stem borer control, the plant chemistry responsible involves release of attractant semiochemicals from the trap plants and repellent semiochemicals from the intercrops. With M minutiflora, parasitism of stem borers was also increased by certain chemicals repellent to ovipositing adults. The mechanism of striga control has not been fully elucidated, but allelopathic effects from the Desmodium species have been shown to involve stimulation of germination and interference with haustorial development. Significant beneficial effects have been obtained with the individual components of these push-pull strategies. However, the most robust crop-protection package is obtained when these components are combined. The trap crop and intercrop plants also provide valuable forage for cattle, often reared in association with subsistence cereal production. There has been considerable take-up of the system within the communities where farmer-managed trials have been carried out, particularly in the Trans Nzoia and Suba districts of Kenya, and the programme is set to expand throughout and beyond Kenya. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Fodder production responses to pruning height and fodder quality of some trees and shrubs in a forest-savanna transition zone in southwestern Nigeria

Seasonal fodder production responses of five shrubs (Centrosema arenarium, Desmodium strigillosum, Desmodium velutinum, Phyllodium pulchellum, and Tadehagi triquetrum)and five trees (Albizia gummifera, Berlinia grandiflora, Albizia niopoides, Bauhinia monandra, and Inga edulis) to pruning heights ranging from 15 to 75 cm were evaluated during the main-wet, minor-wet, and dry seasons of 1993 and 1994 in the forest-savanna transition zone of West Africa. Fodder from the main-wet season was analysed for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and dry matter degradation characteristics after 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h of incubation in rumen-fistulated N'Dama steers. In the minor-wet season, fodder production of all species increased in response to increasing pruning height with the exception of P. pulchellum and A. gummifera. Highest fodder production was attained at a pruning height of 45 cm for the Desmodium species, 50 cm for P. pulchellum, and 75 cm for the rest of the species. Concentrations of N and P varied significantly among the species; for N the ranges were 28.7–38.8 g kg−1 (shrubs) and 25.3–44.5 g kg−1 (trees), while for P the ranges were 3.26–7.04 g mg−1 (shrubs) and 3.58–6.76 g mg−1 (trees). Dry matter degradation characteristics differed significantly among shrubs and trees; ranges for shrubs were: soluble fraction (a), 128–185; degradable fraction (b), 664–703; potential degradability (PD), 793–857, as g kg−1; rate of degradation (c), 0.0241–0.0308 as % h−1 while for trees ranges were: (a), 139–160; (b), 651–826; (PD), 824–970, as g kg−1; (c), 0.0143–0.0227 as % h−1. Based on fodder production and quality, C. arenarium, D. strigillosum, D. velutinum, B. monandra, I. edulis, and A. niopoides were the most promising species for the development of animal agroforestry technologies in the west African forest-savanna transition zone and similar environments in the tropics.

First Report of Peanut Stunt Cucumovirus Naturally Infecting Desmodium sp.

Plant species in the genus Desmodium (Fabaceae) are used as forage and cover crops and include a number of common weeds such as beggarweed (D. tortuosum) and beggarlice (D. intortum). Accessions of the genus are part of the plant genetic resources collection maintained at Griffin, GA. Peanut stunt cucumovirus (PSV) was detected in naturally infected plants of Desmodium sp. PI 322505 (from Brazil) in a germ plasm regeneration plot by a direct antigen coating-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAC-ELISA) with an antiserum against PSV strain ER (subgroup I) originally isolated from cowpea in Georgia. The infected plants showed mild mosaic symptoms. Indicator host studies in the greenhouse revealed symptoms characteristic of PSV on Nicotiana tabacum cv. Burley 21 (ringspots and oak leaf pattern), Chenopodium album subsp. amaranticolor (chlorotic local lesions), and Vigna unguiculata (chlorotic spots followed by systemic mild mosaic). These symptomatic indicator plants tested positive for PSV by DAC-ELISA. Greenhousegrown plants of D. incanum (kaimi-clover) and D. uncinatum (Spanish tick-clover) were inoculated with the field isolate and the plants were tested for PSV by DAC-ELISA (10 infected of 10 tested and 3 infected of 9 tested, respectively). The PSV isolate infecting Desmodium spp. was found to contain satellite RNA and it generated the predicted products in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCRs) with primers based on specific PSV-ER sequences. The RT-PCR products were confirmed by restriction-enzyme digestion (1). This is the first report of PSV naturally infecting a member of the genus Desmodium. Because some members of this genus may grow as perennial weeds near peanut, cowpea, or other host crops, this genus may serve as an alternate/overwintering host for the virus. Reference: (1) R. A. Naidu et al. Phytopathology 85:502, 1995.

Shade effects on forage crops with potential in temperate agroforestry practices

Thirty forages, including eight introduced cool-season grasses, four native warm-season grasses, one introduced warm-season grass, eight introduced cool-season legumes, five native warm-season legumes, and four introduced warm-season legumes, were grown in 7.6 L (two gallon) pots in full sun, 50%, and 80% shade created by shade cloth over a greenhouse frame. Experiments were conducted during summer--fall 1994, spring--early summer 1995, and summer--fall 1995. A complete randomized experimental design was used and above ground dry weight was measured in each shade environment. Tukey's studentized range test was used to compare mean dry weights (MDW) within a species. Warm-season grasses displayed significant reductions in MDW under shade regardless of growing season. All cool-season forages grown during spring--early summer showed a decrease in MDW under shade; however, the reductions in dry weights of ‘Benchmark’ and ‘Justus’ orchardgrass, ‘KY 31’ tall fescue, Desmodium canescens and D. paniculatum were not significant under 50% shade. Cool-season grasses showed more shade tolerance when grown during the summer--fall than when grown during the spring--early summer. Seven of the selected cool-season grasses grown during the summer--fall did not display significant reductions in MDW under 50% shade as compared to full sun. Smooth bromegrass grown under 50% shade showed a significantly increased MDW production compared to growth in full sun. With the exception of Justus orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass, growth of cool-season grasses was inhibited at 80% shade. Among the legumes harvested during the fall, the dry weights of both Desmodium species tested and hog peanut (Amphicarpaea bracteata L.) increased significantly under 50% and 80% shade. In addition, ‘Cody’ alfalfa, white clover, slender lespedeza and ‘Kobe’ lespedeza showed no significant reductions in MDW under 50% shade.

Chloroplast DNA variation inDesmodium subgenusPodocarpium (Leguminosae): Infrageneric phylogeny and infraspecific variations

Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction site variation was examined in five species ofDesmodium subgenusPodocarpium (Leguminosae; Papilionoideae; Desmodieae). Twenty four phylogenetically informative cpDNA mutations were scored. The cladistic analysis of characters based on the 24 mutations resulted in the most parsimonious tree which supports the monophyly of the subgenus.Desmodium elegans of subgenusDollinera was the sister group of subgenusPodocarpium in this tree. The groupings obtained from the cpDNA characters were consistent with the present infrageneric classification system for the subgenus except for the infraspecific taxa ofD. podocarpum. Three groups withinD. podocarpum, which were incongruent with the infraspecific classification of the species, were distinguished by a total of four site mutations. The first group consisted of subsp.podocarpum, subsp.fallax, and subsp.oxyphyllum var.oxyphyllum; the second subsp.oxyphyllum var.oxyphyllum; and the last subsp.oxyphyllum var.oxyphyllum and var.mandshuricum.

A new species of Desmodium (Fabaceae) from northeastern Mexico, with comments on the genus in Nuevo Leon

A new species of Desmodium (Fabaceae) from northeastern Mexico, with comments on the genus in Nuevo Leon

Tissue Culture Regeneration of Desmodium

Efficient tissue culture techniques for plant regeneration are known for many crops, but very considerably among species. These procedures need to be investigated, however, in crops that have no known method of regeneration. Six genotypes of two species of Desmodium were evaluated for tissue culture response on two protocols, an L2 basal salts + growth regulators embryogenic protocol and an MS basal salts + growth regulators organogenic protocol. Significantly greater callus growth was observed on the L2 callus induction medium for four of the six genotypes, with an average of 476.6 mg callus−1 for all genotypes on L2 compared with 47.9 mg callus−1 for the MS treatment. Based on L2 callus fresh weight data, genotypes could be classified into two groups, good and poor callus producers. Despite the overall poor callus growth on MS, shoot buds were induced for five of the six genotypes on the MS shoot induction medium. No genotypes produced somatic embryos on the L2 protocol; however, two genotypes, CIAT 6123 and CIAT 13083, did exhibit organogenesis on the L2 protocol. Plants were regenerated from CIAT 6123 on the L2 system. No shoot development was observed for any genotype on the MS treatment. Regenerated plants were phenotypically normal and no somaclonal variation was observed. Media modifications will be necessary in order to successfully manipulate Desmodium genotypes in vitro.

Resistance and Tolerance of Desmodium Ovalifolium To Pterotylenchus Cecidogenus, the Stem Gall Nematode

Desmodium ovalifolium and related species were screened in the glasshouse for resistance to the stem gall nematode, Pterotylenchus cecidogenus. Of the 87 accessions of D. ovalifolium tested, 57 were more resistant than accession CIAT 350. Of the 72 accessions of other Desmodium species tested, only D. intortum CIAT 3292 was as susceptible as CIAT 350 although 16 accessions from 11 species could be considered hosts. Some D. ovalifolium were screened in the glasshouse for tolerance to the nematode. This was expressed as reduced effect on stem and root growth and reduced production of gall tissue. Tolerance was correlated with galling of stems of 32 accessions in the field. The optimum time for assessment of galls in the field was 19 months after sowing. After two years in the field, 16 accessions had lower gall ratings than CIAT 350.

A synopsis of the tribe Desmodieae (Fabaceae) in southern Africa

The tribe Desmodieae has a pantropical distribution and is one of the most advanced tribes in the subfamily Papilionoideae. Its greatest centres of development are in tropical Asia and America. Africa is relatively poorly endowed and only four genera comprising 16 species occur in the flora of southern Africa. Many of these species are widespread in the Old World tropics and the few African endemics appear to be closely related to them. A synopsis of the genera Desmodium, Pseudarthria, Alysicarpus and Lespedeza is given for southern Africa.

A Reevaluation of the Discontinuity Plate in Psoraleeae and Amorpheae (Leguminosae)

The discontinuity plate, once thought to be a unique feature of the Leguminous tribes Psoraleeae and Amorpheae, has been used as evidence for a close relationship of the two tribes. It is here further studied for taxonomic utility. It is shown that the discontinuity plate comprises four phenomena, distributed in four tribes. Tribe Amorpheae has a discontinuity between the pedicellar and gynoecial traces with a profusion of tracheids at the junction of the gynoecial vascular traces, forming a plate-like structure. This is present and developed at very early stages of the flower and corresponds to the discontinuity plate as originally described. Segregate genera of Psoralea as proposed by Stirton (1981) and Rydberg (1919) also have distinctive vascular features, though these are not the same as the discontinuity plate found in Amorpheae. Psoralea, Otholobium, and all New World genera of Psoraleeae have simple delayed maturation of xylem through the receptacle. Some species of Tephrosia (Tephrosieae) were found to have a similar development. Cullen and Bituminaria (Psoraleeae) have delayed maturation of xylem with an inverted cone-like structure developing in early fruit. A similar structure was found in species of Desmodium (Desmodieae). Because the discontinuity plate is shown to comprise more than one phenomenon, and since these vascular irregularities are now known in four tribes, the discontinuity plate does not necessarily indicate a close relationship between the tribes Psoraleeae and Amorpheae. Furthermore, the phenomena cannot be assumed to be homologous. More complete developmental studies and a larger survey of the Papilionoideae is needed before the vascular features can be confidently used in systematic hypotheses.

A REEVALUATION OF THE DISCONTINUITY PLATE IN PSORALEEAE AND AMORPHEAE (LEGUMINOSAE)

The discontinuity plate, once thought to be a unique feature of the Leguminous tribes Psoraleeae and Amorpheae, has been used as evidence for a close relationship of the two tribes. It is here further studied for taxonomic utility. It is shown that the discontinuity plate comprises four phenomena, distributed in four tribes. Tribe Amorpheae has a discontinuity between the pedicellar and gynoecial traces with a profusion of tracheids at the junction of the gynoecial vascular traces, forming a plate‐like structure. This is present and developed at very early stages of the flower and corresponds to the discontinuity plate as originally described. Segregate genera of Psoralea as proposed by Stirton (1981) and Rydberg (1919) also have distinctive vascular features, though these are not the same as the discontinuity plate found in Amorpheae. Psoralea, Otholobium, and all New World genera of Psoraleeae have simple delayed maturation of xylem through the receptacle. Some species of Tephrosia (Tephrosieae) were found to have a similar development. Cullen and Bituminaria (Psoraleeae) have delayed maturation of xylem with an inverted cone‐like structure developing in early fruit. A similar structure was found in species of Desmodium (Desmodieae). Because the discontinuity plate is shown to comprise more than one phenomenon, and since these vascular irregularities are now known in four tribes, the discontinuity plate does not necessarily indicate a close relationship between the tribes Psoraleeae and Amorpheae. Furthermore, the phenomena cannot be assumed to be homologous. More complete developmental studies and a larger survey of the Papilionoideae is needed before the vascular features can be confidently used in systematic hypotheses.

Karyomorphological observations in some species of Desmodium Desv. (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae)

The present paper deals with the chromosome numbers and morphology of thirteen species of the genus Desmodium. Twelve out of thirteen species show 2n=22, while one species (D. salicifolium) shows 2n=20. A review of present and previous chromosome number reports justifies the basic numbers x=11 and 10 for the genus. The karyotype analysis is made for the first time in ten species. In all the species investigated here only nearly median and nearly submediam chromosomes are observed. On the basis of karyomorphology D. salicifolium is relatively primitive compared to D. gangeticum, while D. laxiflorum, D. uncinatum, D. triflorum, D. sandwiscence, D. velutinum, D. distortum, D. ritchiei, D. heterocarpon var. strigosum, D. dichotomum, D. elegans and D. intortum occupy the intermediate position. The interrelationship among the species is reticulate. The minor differences between the karyotypes of different species indicate that structural alterations have played an important role in speciation. Karyornorphological observations are discussed in light of Ohashi's infrageneric classification.

Laboratory estimates of the nutritive value of some herbaceous native legumes

Forty-four accessions of herbaceous native legumes from the genera Glycine and Galactia were grown in a glasshouse in a soil-sand-nutrient mixture that contained adequate phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and molybdenum for plant growth. They were grown as individual plants with four replications of each. All plants were cut to soil level on August 18; regrowth was cut on October 7, November 22 and December 30 (harvests 1,2 and 3). The herbage was dried and analysed for nitrogen (g N/kg OM), phosphorus (g P/kg OM) and organic matter digestibility (% OMD). There were significant differences between the accessions for values of dry matter yield (P<0.001), nitrogen content (P<0.01), phosphorus content (P<0.001) and OMD (P<0.05). The mean nitrogen content declined at each harvest (40.6,33.7 and 31.7 g N/kg OM, respectively; P<0.05) and OMD of the herbage at harvest 3 was less than that at 1 and 2 (70.4, 71.1 and 67.6%, respectively; P<0.05). Herbage from harvest 1 had significantly greater P values than that from harvests 2 and 3 (4.7,4.2 and 4.4 g P/kg OM; P< 0.05). Plant yield was correlated with both nitrogen yield (r = 0.98; P<0.001) and phosphorus yield (r = 0.93; P<0.01) but not with OMD. Nitrogen content and digestibility were correlated (r = 0.48; P<0.01) but neither attribute was significantly correlated with phosphorus content. Samples of native herbaceous legumes belonging to the genera Desmodium and Kennedia and of some exotic legumes were collected from a nursery and analysed for N, P and OMD. The N and P values of all these legumes were in the range 31.9-39.2 g N/kg OM and 3.0-4.1 g P/kg OM, and compared favourably with those of the legumes grown in the glasshouse. The OMD of the exotic legumes (range 61.3-85.2%) compared favourably with those of the native legumes grown in the glasshouse but the natives Desmodium spp. and Kennedia spp. (range 26.7-35.4%) were very much lower than the Glycine spp. and Galactia spp.

Small-plot studies ofDesmodium intortum(Mill.) Urb. cv. ‘Greenleaf’,D. uncinatum(Jacq.) DC. cv. ‘Silverleaf’, andLotononis bainesiiBaker cv. ‘Miles’, in Northland, New Zealand

Abstract Establishment and subsequent dry matter productivity of three subtropical legume species Desmodium intortum cv. ‘Greenleaf’, D. uncinatum cv. ‘Silverleaf’, and Lotononis bainesii cv. ‘Miles’ were compared with that of Lotus pendunculatus cv. ‘Commercial’ at two sites in Northland from 1971–74. Late December sowings resulted in successful establishment of both Desmodium species at the two sites. The establishment of Lotononis and Lotus was variable between sites and generally less than that of the Desmodiums. D. uncinatum yielded most at the northern site over the growing season, although D. intortum was higher yielding at the Southern site. Maximum growth rates for D. uncinatum were 45 kg DM/ha/day, although yields appeared to be limited by moisture stress and low minimum temperatures over the growing season at both sites. D. uncinatum, more so than D. intortum, was higher yielding when cut at 42-day intervals than when cut at 21-day intervals at the Northern site. Cutting interval had little effect on yields of Lotononis or Lotus at either site or on Desmodium yields at the Southern site. It is concluded that Lotononis, because of lack of persistence, has little potential as a pasture legume, and that although both Desmodium species were equal to or better than Lotus, their potential is likely to be limited by summer-autumn moisture stress, low minimum temperatures, and special management requirements over the growing season in Northland.