Important ecological traits for selecting Biserrula pelecinus L. (biserrula) genotypes for their potential introduction into agricultural systems

• Published in: Grass and forage science 2015-09, Vol.70 (3), p.519-529
• Main Authors: Loi, A, Franca, A, Nutt, B. J, Yates, R. J, D'Antuono, M. F, Howieson, J. G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agronomic traits; Biserrula pelecinus; breeding; cultivars; genotype; germplasm; hard seededness; herbicides; nitrogen fixation; pasture legumes; rhizobium; seed set; seed yield; seedlings; summer; wheat
• ISSN: 0142-5242; 1365-2494
• DOI: 10.1111/gfs.12139

An investigation of eleven genotypes and two cultivars of Biserrula pelecinus L. (biserrula) was conducted in Western Australia to study their ecological and agronomic traits. All biserrula genotypes were productive in the 2 years of testing, with dry‐matter production ranging from 3·5 to 4·9 t ha⁻¹ and seed yield ranging from 314 to 1381 kg ha⁻¹. Biserrula has high initial levels of hard seededness (95–100%) and a more gradual hard seed breakdown (68–92%) in summer. The high levels of hard seed decreased the seedling densities of biserrula in the second year, while were at highest levels in the third year after the plots were cropped to wheat. A further experiment was conducted to study the interaction between spray‐topping and seed set. This study showed subterranean clover seed yields were more tolerant to herbicides than a number of biserrula genotypes. There were significant responses to the herbicides within the biserrula genotypes, and 95GCN59 was less affected. The rhizobium experiment showed a strong host strain/interaction and has emphasized the importance of simultaneous breeding and selection of plant germplasm run in parallel with the selection of elite strains of rhizobia such as WSM1497 to optimize nitrogen fixation.