Comparison of breeding methods for forage yield in red clover

Abstract

Three methods of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) breeding for forage yield in two harvest years on locations in Bredelokke (Denmark), Hladké Životice (Czech Republic) and Les Alleuds (France) were compared. Three types of 46 candivars1, developed by A) recurrent selection in subsequent generations (37 candivars, divided into early and late group), B) polycross progenies (4 candivars) and C) ge­no-phe­no­ty­pic selection (5 candivars) were compared. The trials were sown in 2005 and cut three times in 2006 and 2007; their evaluation is based primarily on total yield of dry matter. The candivars developed by polycross and geno-phenotypic selections gave significantly higher yields than candivars from the recurrent selection. However, the candivars developed by the methods B and C did not differ significantly. The candivars developed by these progressive methods were suitable for higher yielding and drier environment in Hladké Životice (where was the highest yield level even if averaged annual precipitation were lower by 73 and 113 mm in comparison to other locations, respectively); here was ave­ra­ge yield higher by 19 and 13% for B and C in comparison to A method. Highly significant interaction of the candivars with locations was found. It can be concluded that varieties specifically aimed to different locations by the methods B and C should be bred; also the parental entries should be selected there.

Keywords

• red clover
• breeding methods
• geno-phenotypic selection
• half-sib families
• polycross
• interaction varieties x locations