Responses to water stress extremes in diverse red clover germplasm accessions

• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1195058
• Publication Date: 2023-06-24T09:00:19Z
• Authors: Angus D. Heslop; Zulfi Jahufer; Rainer W. Hofmann
• Keywords: Germ plasm; Waterlogging (archaeology); Red Clover; Specific leaf area; Dry weight; Trait

Red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), a key perennial pastoral species used globally, can strengthen pastural mixes to withstand increasingly disruptive weather patterns from climate change. Breeding selections be refined for this purpose by obtaining an in-depth understanding of functional traits. A replicated randomized complete block glasshouse pot trial was observe trait responses critical plant performance under control (15% VMC), water deficit (5% VMC) and waterlogged conditions (50% in seven red populations compared against white clover. Twelve morphological physiological traits were identified as contributors the different coping mechanisms displayed. Under deficit, levels all aboveground decreased, highlighted 41% decrease total dry matter 50% decreases both leaf number thickness treatment. An increase root shoot ratio indicated shift prioritizing maintenance sacrificing growth, attributed tolerance. waterlogging, reduction photosynthetic activity among reduced several including 30% mass matter, 34% number. The importance morphology waterlogging with low clover: there 83% which able maintain therefore performance. This study highlights germplasm evaluation across stress extremes identify future breeding programs.