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Clonal-By-Environment Interactions Influence Isoflavonoid Accumulation In Cicer Milkvetch, Andrew W. Lenssen, C. E. Townsend, S. S. Martin

Andrew W. Lenssen

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) is a perennial, nonbloatinducing forage legume adapted to temperate environments. For unknown reasons, however, ruminants grazing cicer milkvetch in pure stands have become photosensitized, or sunburned, in some environments, Isoflavonoids are involved with diverse biological activities, including estrogenism, disease resistance, and, potentially, photosensitization. We conducted a series of studies from 1991 to 1993 to identify factors that influence the accumulation of isoflavonoids. In separate greenhouse studies, elicited leaflets from the parental clones of ‘Monarch’ and. ‘Windsor’ cicer milkvetch were analyzed for isoflavonoid accumulation. Growth chamber studies were conducted to investigate the clonal variability of leaflet …