Recurrent phenotypic selection of legumes and grass perennial forage crops using Mediterranean autochthonous germplasm [Apulia; Campania; Basilicata]
2005
Martiniello, P.
The germplasm of the Mediterranean area is a natural resource threatened for the negative effect of antropic and land use. The lack of autochthonous germplasm reduces the possibility to release improved genotypes adapted to the environmental conditions of the Mediterranean area. Using autochthonous germplasm of Mediterranean perennial forage crops of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), sainfoin (Onobrichis viciifolia Scop.) and sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) in a breeding program, new varieties have been released. About 1,500 genotypes were harvested in 6 Southern Italian environments and used as basic material for three cycles of phenotypic recurrent selection. For each species, seeds of genotypes were used for establishing a single spaced plant under isolated conditions for intercrossing and for seed yield evaluation. In addition, a plant-row plot for bio-agronomic and environmental stress tolerance determinations was set up. The selection pressure adopted for each cycle of selection was 70%. On the basis of plant-row plot results, superior genotypes were selected in single-plant field. Seeds of selected genotypes were harvested from the corresponding intercrossed genotypes raised in single-plant plots. For each species, the genotypes evaluated were about 1,050, 700 and 500, respectively for the first, the second and the third cycle of selection, respectively. Each cycle was evaluated for 2 years with two replications. At the end of the third cycle, seeds of selected genotypes were used for making a balanced population seed stock. Seed of these population was for two years reproduced under isolated conditions and then used for agronomic trials across four Mediterranean environments. Varieties released (Tetim, Irpina and Partenope, for sainfoin, sulla and phalaris, respectively) gave agronomic and morphological performances higher than the ones of testers
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