Mytton, L.R. and Brockwell, J. and Gibson, A.H. (1984) The potential for breeding an improved lucerne-rhizobium symbiosis. 1. Assessment of genetic variation. Euphytica, 33 (2). pp. 401-410.
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Abstract
Six cultivars of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were grown in all possible combinations with eight strains of Rhizobium meliloti in order to assess genetic variation in symbiotic nitrogen fixation. Host genotype and Rhizobium genotype effects on nitrogen fixation were respectively 4.8% and 21.0% of total phenotypic variance. Genetic variation due to host cultivar × Rhizobium strain interactions accounted for a further 6.0% of phenotypic variance. The results indicated low heritability of general symbiotic effectiveness in the host with interaction effects being large enough to suggest that plant performance may be unpredictable with populations of R. meliloti in field soils. Joint regression analysis showed that about 50% of the interactive variation could be explained by generalized differences in the sensitivity of cultivars to alterations in the genotype of Rhizobium strains. One cultivar, Siriver, was relatively insentitive to changes in the Rhizobium genotype whilst still maintaining high average yield. The implications of the results for lucerne breeding are discussed.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | We thank Shiranthi de Silva for technical assistance, Anne Warrener for preparing the figure and Susan Kelo for typing the manuscript. The experimental work was conducted in the Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, during a period when one of us (L.R.M.) was assisted by CSIRO while on study leave frome the Welsh Plant Breeding Station. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Medicago sativa, lucerne, alfalfa, Rhizobium meliloti, nitrogen fixation, symbiotic effectiveness, genetic variation, phenotypic variation, heritability, lucerne breeding |
| Author Affiliation: | Division of Plant Industry, CSIRO, Australia Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth, Wales |
| Subjects: | Crop Improvement |
| Divisions: | Chickpea Groundnut Pigeonpea |
| Depositing User: | Mr Arbind Seth |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jul 2013 04:51 |
| Last Modified: | 03 Jul 2013 04:51 |
| Official URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00021137 |
| URI: | http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/10795 |
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