Soil Science Commons^™

Breeding A Bloat-Safe Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) Cultivar, B P. Goplen, R E. Howarth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The soluble protein fraction, which comprises both fraction 1 and fraction 2 proteins, is the major surfactant (of herbage origin) responsible for frothy bloat in ruminants grazing alfalfa pastures. However, variation in soluble protein content of the pasture herbage does not account for the wide variation in the incidence and severity of bloat. Variation in cell rupture and other surfactants may also contribute to the unpredictable nature of pasture bloat. The foam volume measurement is not a suitable technique for development of a bloat-safe alfalfa cultivar because it is not correlated with either soluble protein or the occurrence of bloat. …

The Development Of Grazable Alfalfa Varieties Suitable For The Conditions In The Nonchernozem Zone Of The Rsfsr, Yuri Piskovatski, Yuri Nenarokov, Galina Stepanova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An alfalfa collection was studied consisting of samples of breeding varieties from home and abroad as well as some wild species. Samples being of interest for breeding alfalfa varieties for grazing were chosen. On the basis of inter­specific and intraspecific hybridization and selection, the high-yielding hybrids B 49, B 98 and others were obtained, being highly pro­ductive and well suited for grazing.

Preliminary Data On Breeding Of Lucerne For Tolerance Of Frequent Cutting, I Bocsa, J Buglos

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

We carried out preliminary studies to material­ize a new objective of luceme breeding: the development of a variety tolerant of frequent cutting. We found considerable differences between varieties and strains in tolerance of frequent cutting or cutting performed always in an early phenophase. With normal utilization taken for 100 per cent, the height of frequently cut plants was only 76 per cent on the average of several thousand plants. Frequently cut treatments of close-spaced varieties produced 54-74 per cent of their own normally utilized controls. On the basis of our preliminary studies we have introduced a selection made under "stress" …

Results Of Interspecific And Intergeneric Hybridization Of Lolium L. And Festuca L., N Netzband, G Wacker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interspecific and intergeneric hybridization of Festuca pratensis (2n= 14) x Festuca arundina­cea (2n=42), Lolium multiflorum (2n= 14) x Festuca arundinacea (2n=42), and Festuca pratensis (2n = 28) x Lolium multiflorum (2n = 28) has been performed since 1971. From the largely sterile F1 (2n= 28) of the crosses with Festuca arundinacea partly fertile progenies with 2n = 56 chromosomes were obtained after colchicine treatment of seedling plants in their two- to three-leaf stage. For testing plant fertility - fertility being expressed by the number of plants that emerged per defined seed quantity - pollen staining is rather unsuitable an approach …

Hybrid Effect And Fertility In The F 1 Generation Of Interspecific And Intergeneric Hybrids Of Lolium And Festuca, Kurt Grober, Fritz Matzk, Martin Zacharias

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interspecific and intergeneric hybrids between species of Lolium and Festuca have been studied during three years with respect to fertility and vegetative growth (hybrid effect). Differences in both characters have been found to exist not only between F1 hybrids from several cross combinations but also between the hybrids from one and the same cross combinations. The material examined contains a number of cross combinations showing a relatively high hybrid effect for vegetative growth.

Variability In Panicum Maximum Jacq. And Some Results Of The Selection, V Sidak, Esoeranza Segui, C Perez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The results of the first-year evaluation of 192 0.lones of Panicum maximum Jacq. are presented. The clones were collected in different regions of Cuba or introduced from foreign countries (71 % and 29 %, respectively). The evaluation was carried out without fertilization nor water supply, each clone being represented per one row and each row divided into three sections, each one representing a particular treatment:(1) annual cutting; (2) cutting frequency of 6 weeks in the dry season and 4 weeks in the wet season; (3) cutting frequency of 8 weeks in the dry season and 6 weeks in the wet …

Within-Varieties Variability In Differently Adapted Types Of Lolium Perenne, Salvatore Ceccarelli, Franco Lorenzetti

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The within-variety variances were estimated at Perugia (Central Italy) for heading time, flag leaf length and width, and length of the tallest stem in 22 varieties of Lolium perenne. The 22 varieties, grouped on the basis of their country of origin, were characterized by dif­ferent levels of variability; the variances esti­mated in varieties from Holland, Denmark, France, and Germany w·ere always higher than those of the Italian varieties, the differences being significant in 11 out of 1'6 cases. The highest variability observed in non­adapted types suggests the opportunity of re­considering the validity of the rules for which certified seed can …

Testing And Selection For Frost Tolerance Within Populations Of Lolium Perenne L. And Dactylis Glomerata L., Arlid Larsen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Plants from one Lolium perenne variety and two varieties of Dactylis glomerata were tested for frost tolerance as replicated clones. Direc- • tional selection within populations was applied for one generation. Responses were obtained in both species, most efficient in high direction. Here realized heritability was 0.6 and 0.5 for L. perenne and the D. glomerata variety 'Unke', respectively. The variety 'Hattfjelldal' showed only small responses.

Study Of The Dynamics Of Flowering, Protein And Fibre Content In Varieties Of Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus) In Cuba, C M. Puentes, A Mujica, A Hernandez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The search of sources of protein for animal feed­ing is a very important task the world over. Grasses are the most important sources for animal feeding in the Tropics, their protein and mineral contents are generally low due, among other causes, to climatic conditions. This aspect is a limiting factor in dairy cows. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) is a tropical plant with high contents of protein and miner­als. It was observed in fields of kenaf sown for fibre purposes that cattle entering these fields ate the plants with pleasure. The work was aimed at studying the dynam­ics of biological …

The Vegetative Bud Mutation Technique For Breeding Improved Poa Pratensis L., Jerrel B. Powell, J J. Murray

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is widely distributed in the U.S. and is important in grassland agriculture as pasture and in the ur­ban environment as turf. Cultivar development in P. pratensis is slowed by a reproductive process that allows very few gametes to recom­bine (facultative apomixis). New approaches are needed to circumvent this limitation on breeding new cultivars. A fundamentally dif­ferent approach to improvement is to induce mutations in vegetative buds of rhizomes, select the resulting mutations and increase them by seed (caryopses). The highly apomictic charac­ter of this species would maintain the mutant unchanged. This paper reports the …

On The Utilization Of Cell- And Tissue-Cultures In Breeding Perennial Forage Plants, Anatoli Mezentsev

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A method • is described of selecting isolated protoplasts from perennial ryegrass (Loliun perenne L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.), hybrid alfalfa (Medicago varia Mart.), and sickle medic (Medicago falcata L.). Some aspects ofmorphogenesi.s when applying the leaf callus culture are studied. Regenerative material was obtained from Medicago falcata. Possibilities of utilizing cell- and tissue-cultures in plant breeding are discussed.

Yield Potential Of Some Forage Grasses On Different Sites In The Gdr, Walter Katzenberger, Ulrich Kiefer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The evaluation of trials conducted on different GDR grassland sites over several years revealed significant differences between the OM yields of major grass species. Dactylis glomerata proved to be the most efficient species, except at N ossen, whilst Festuca pratensis was marked­ly inferior. Taking into account parameters of quality, however, Loliwn perenne because of its high EFr/kg DM outyielded all the other spe­cies with regard to the production of EFr/ha.

Seasonal Productivity And Persistence Of Grass Varieties In Central Italy, Mario Falcinelli, Salvatore Ceccarelli

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A trial was carried out at Perugia (Central Italy) in 1972/ 197 5 in order to gain information on the seasonal productivity and persistence of 24 varieties of Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arun-' dinacea, and Lolium perenne. The data on persistence, measured as ground cover, show clearly that local types are more persistent than foreign ones. The impact of the choice of varieties is not equally important for the three species; it is very important in Lolium perenne, it is still important in Dactylis glomerata, but its seems irrelevant in Festuca arundinacea. The dry matter yield of all the three species …

Intra-Specific Variation Within Trifoliuni Repens L. In Relation To The Early Spring And Late Autumn Growth Of Upland And Marginal Pastures, John H. Ollerenshaw, Willaim S. Stewart, Raad H. Baker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is an urgent need for a better under­standing of the biology of white clover (Tri­folium repens L.) to improve grassland produc­tion in temperate and other regions of the world. Cultivars of this legume are required which can compete with and provide atmos­pherically fixed N for associated grasses in late autumn and early spring. Such cultivars would also improve the quality of the animal diet during these periods of the year. We have collected populations of white clover from northern maritime regions, some of which ap­pear to be frost hardy and adapted to growth at low temperatures. These populations …

A Study Of Seed Formation In Alfalfa With Respect To Environmental Conditions And Pollinating Mode, Alena Vachunova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of pollinating mode and of conditions for seed formation was studied on 30 clones of different genetic constitution. The average yields per plant have changed markedly under the influence of environmental conditions, especially of variable precipitation.

The correlation between the years was positive and significant. The number of flowers forming pods and also the average number of seeds per flower and per pod are in close relation to the seed yield of the individual plants, not only under self-pollination but also under open pollination. In the dry year of 1973, the correlation coef­ficients under open pollination were lower …

The Influence Of Chemical Mutagenics On Self-Fertility Of White Clover (Trifolium Repens L.), Olga Ezhakova, Roza Piskovatskaya, Zinaida Dikareva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chemical mutagenics may be applied for ob­taining self-compatible fonns of white clover. Of the mutagenics under study, ethylenirnine at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.03 % proved most efficient. The high degree of self-com­patibility is transmitted and increases in the following generation. The yield of self-compatible forms depends on the initial material chosen.

Variability Of Characters In Populations Of Red Clover Varieties (Trifolium Pratense L.), Mitrogan Smurygin, Nadezhda Bogomolova, Nikolai Kozlov

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Analytical studies into the variation ofeconomic and biological characters have shown that in . late populations the correlations between geno­type and environment were more strongly pronounced than they used to be in early populations. Mean value stability of characters in early populations, as compared to late populations, was obtained to a large extent from the ho­meostasis of individual plant development, whereas late populations were in most cases determined by genotypic homeostasis.

Evaluation Of Some Properties And Characters Of Phleum Pratense L., Jaroslav Janasek

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

From 1965 to 1976, 111 varieties of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) have been tested and evaluated at the Roznov Grassland Research Station (Vyzkumna stanice travinafska, Roznov p/R.). Description of characters and properties was made according to the "classifier". Biolog­ical properties, botanical characters, phenolog­ical phases, as well as • seed and forage yields were evaluated in 3-4 harvest years. The characters and properties were evaluated by statistical analysis and laid down in a project for full use in research work and propagation practice. Documentation has been made of  single varities; most of them are kept in the field gene reservoir.

Investigations Into The Initial Material Of Forage Plants, Asfan Yartiev, Zhaneta Yartieva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Including a large collection of initial material is a major precondition for successful breeding work. This is particularly true for forage plant breeding. Thanks to its vast territory with its different soil and climatic conditions, the Soviet Union disposes of a great diversity of wild-growing forage plant species that has not yet been investigated in full detail. Acad­emician V. R. WJLLIAMS and other Soviet research workers had been the first to investi­gate the collection of forage plants. The further study, collection, and thorough evaluation of this material is attended to by the All-Union Williams Forage Research Institute. Research work conducted …

The Establishment, Screening, And Maintenance Of A Gene Pool Of White Clover (Trifolium Repens L.), W Ellis Davies

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

1)-In order to extend the gene pool of a crop plant available to the breeder, it is necessary to collect, screen, assess, and maintain desir­able germ plasm.

2) Collections of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and other legumes have been made by the Welsh Plant Breeding Station from contrasting geographical areas. Some details of the 1971 expedition to Turkey are re­ported.

3) A considerable amount of variation in growth characters, leaf size, flowering date, and cyanogenic reaction was found.

4) Long-term seed storage experiments have indicated the conditions which favour the maintenance of seed viability. Seeds have maintained c. …

Agronomic Assessment Of The Annual Sub-Species Of Medicago L., E J. Crawford

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The production potential of 171 annual Medi­cago genotypes representing 48 of the possible 52 sub-species was compared under sward conditions. Entry selection was based on superi­ority in seedling vigour, winter herbage pro­duction, seed yield, and range of flowering times. The high production ranking of the com­mercial cultivars illustrates their suitability to the environment. The potential of other non-commercialized sub-species is discussed. The performance of the species dominant in the Mediterranean Basin suggests potential for selection for cultivar development for those agricultural systems.

The World Collection Of The Major Grassland Plant Species Of The All-Union Vavilov Research Institute For Plant Growing, Planton Lubenets, Nina Mukhina, Soya Shutova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The world collection of perennial grassland plants comprises 12,940 samples of 366 species, thereof 7,094 samples of leguminous plants, 5,286 samples of gramineous plants, and 560 samples of plants growing in arid regions. These samples are tested at experimental sta­tions of the Institute situated in the Noncherno­zem zone, in the northern Caucasus, in Ka­zakhstan, in the Volga area, in West and East Siberia, in the Far East as well as in the Uzbek and Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republics. The samples were grouped according to the fol­lowing characters: high yields of fresh matter, hay and seeds, resistance to disease, winte_r hardiness, …

Ecological Formations For Seed Production Of Grasses And Legumes In The American Tropics, Augusto Gallardo, Antonio Leone

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ecological formations of the American Tropics adequate to produce seeds of grasses and legumes are thorny pre-mountainous forest, very dry tropical forest, dry tropical forest, and humid pre-mountainous forest. Previous research concluded in selecting the best species for seed production in each zone and also recommending the most appropriate manage­ment practices to obtain high-quality seed and high yields. To satisfy the requirements of seed for resowing and establishing new areas of pastures in Colombia and Venezuela it would be neces­sary to invest U.S.$ 102,451,674 yearly. F.A.O., I.LC.A., Government research cen­tres, and Agronomy schools have motivated programmes of seed production and …

The Physiological Effects Of Water Stress On Perennial Ryegrass In The Field, E L. Leafe, M B. Jones, W Stiles

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Irrigated and water-stressed swards of perennial ryegrass were compared under field conditions to elucidate the physiological mechanisms which bring about the commonly observed reductions in dry matter (DM) yields caused by drought. Measurements were made during four periods of vegetative growth in the sum­mers of two successive years. The maximum stress developed varied between 62 and 11 6 mm potential soil water deficit. In all but one experimental period, above­ground DM yield was markedly reduced, with corresponding reductions in leaf area index (LAI). The reduction in LAI was caused by a slower rate of leaf expansion> resulting in smal­ler leaves, …

Examination Of Relationship Between Hay Yield, Crude Protein Content And Climatic Index With Alfalfa, Imre Laszlo Kiss

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The correlation between hay yield and climatic indices is very close. In one-, two-and three-year alfalfa stands correlations with the annual climatic index were always closer than those with the climatic index of the growing season. Therefore, precipitations falling outside the growing season have a positive effect on alfalfa crop yields as well. In the future it will thus be more suitable to use the data of annual weather conditions. The climatic factors have a considerable influence on the crude protein content. A very close negative correlation was shown between the respective annual climatic indices and the crude protein content.

The Effects Of Global Radiation Before Harvesting Upon The Digestibility Of The Dry Matter Of Some Grass Species, W Schoberlein, W Lampeter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Four micro-trials with 6 breeding varieties each of Lolium multijlorum, Lolium perenne and Dac­tylis glomerata (early and late groups) were carried out under field conditions. Neither artificial reduction in daylight by means of a sunshade nor storage of the fresh mass in a dark room with the stems kept in water or else in a plastic bag resulted in abrupt decrease in digestibility as common under conditions of low global radiation. The findings point to the possibility that the composition of the diffuse light on days with poor radiation deviates from the diffuse light under a sunshade on days with …

The Influence Of Temperature, Soil Moisture Content, And Mineral Supply On Growth And Some Fractions Of The Chemical Composition Of Cocksfoot (Dactylis Glonierata L.), A S. Obraztsov, V M. Kovalev, V G. Golovaty, Kh K. Khudyakova

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Experiments in the climatic chamber and in the greenhouse have shown the quantitative dependence of plant growth and productivity as well as of the carbohydrate and nitrate con­tent of Dactylis glomerata L. on temperature, soil moisture conient, and the level of NPK fertilization. Daily means of air temperature of 22 to 23 °C, a soil moisture content coming up to 78-84 p.c. of total moisture capacity, and ap­plication of 60-80 mg N/kg soil (N: P: K ratio 6: 1 : 2) were found to be optimal for plant growth and productivity. Soil moisture deficit raises the nitrate concentration in D. …

Effect Of Soil Water Stress On Biological Parameters Of Guinea Grass (Panicum Maximum Jacq.) And Glycine ( Glycine Wightii), J J. Suarez

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two experiments were carried out under glass­house conditions to study the effect of soil water stress on guinea grass and glycine. The design was a random block design with four replications. Treatments were: water appli­cation when soil humidity was reduced 25 %, 50 %, 75 % and to wilting point in relation to field capacity. Dry matter yields, leaf number and transpiration efficiency of glycine were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) as were the number of tillers (P < 0.01) and nodules (P < 0.05) with the decrease in available soil humidity. Guinea grass yields (dry) were only reduced when available soil humidity decreased from 75 % to wilting point, glycine being more affected than guinea grass. Root weight, leaf and tiller number and transpiration effi­ciency of guinea grass were not affected by changes in soil humidity. Results suggest a higher drought resistance of guinea grass than glycine since that species made a more efficient water usage, having a more developed root system.

Generative Development Of Perennial Forage Grasses Under Natural And Controlled Conditions, A K. Fedorov

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Both different development types and life spans of perennial forage grasses were found to depend strongly on their own response to light in their tillering phase as well as on their response to vernalization. Possible approaches are suggested by which to accelerate grass breeding, with particular reference being made to the potentials implied in producing several generations in one and the same year. An account is given of a process by which to produce up to five generations of winter­type grasses in one year. Biological foundations are mentioned to control sward structures and to adjust them to desired uses, for …

Relationships Between Some Growth Indices And Dry Matter Formation In Alfalfa And Three Grass Species, Zofia Koter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The relationships between growth dynamics and growth indices (LAI, NAR, CGR) in alfalfa and three grass species were studied in pot and field experiments. A positive cor­relation was found to exist between leaf area development (LAI) and dry matter growth. The CGR values were especially dependent on nitrogen fertilization and stand density. NAR values did not give any clues regarding produc­tivity.