Within‐ and Among‐Cultivar Genetic Variation in Alfalfa: Forage Quality, Morphology, and Yield

• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2000.402365x
• Publication Date: 2010-07-29T20:00:56Z
• Authors: Bernadette Julier; Christian Huyghe; Christian Ecalle
• Keywords: Neutral Detergent Fiber; Medicago sativa; Genetic gain; Medicago

Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) cultivars are synthetic populations formed from 8 to 200 parents and thus have a broad genetic base. Within‐cultivar variation was compared with among‐cultivar for energy value traits, morphological dry matter yield. Eleven cultivars, each represented by 15 clones of 7 20 genotypes, were evaluated in field plots simulating dense canopy at INRA (National Institute Agronomic Research), Lusignan France. Six harvests spanning 3 yr analyzed. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid (ADF), lignin (ADL), enzymatic digestibility, leaf‐to‐stem ratio (LSR), number stems, stem height, yield measured. variance accounted 31 70% the LSR quality traits 57 100% Large within‐cultivar yield‐related could impart stability across environments, as result competition alfalfa canopies. Phenotypic correlations relatively low harvest NDF content, but high content LSR. be exploited an additional source breeding programs achieve higher gain per cycle.