Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) is increasingly adopted in the southeastern USA as a companion crop in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) pastures, where poultry litter is excessively used as source of N fertilizer. This research explores the extent of genetic variation in phosphorus (P) accumulation and uptake in alfalfa germplasm grown in a soil heavily amended with poultry waste, and the expected genetic gain from selection for P accumulation and uptake. Eighteen commercial and experimental populations of alfalfa were evaluated in a soil, heavily amended with chicken litter. The soil pH was 6.8 and Mehlich-1 P content was 1039.7 kg ha−1. Significant genetic variation was observed in P accumulation, forage yield, and P uptake and removal (p < 0.01). Harvest dates effect was significant (p < 0.01), but little interaction of genotypes x harvest date. Narrow sense heritability estimates based on family-means were 0.50 for P concentration, 0.25 for biomass yield, and 0.74 for P uptake. Genetic gain from selection for forage yield based on family means was much higher than that of selection based on individual pots (40 vs. 16 %). For P uptake, gain from selection was 7 % higher using selection based on family means compared to individual pot basis (46 vs. 53 %, respectively). The data suggests that it is possible to make reasonable progress in improving P uptake in alfalfa by selection methods that take advantage of the additive genetic variation such as family selection, whether selecting indirectly for high forage yield or concurrently for P concentration and yield.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by funds from the University of Georgia Research Foundation cultivar development and research program. This research was supported by a grant from the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.
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Missaoui, A.M., Young, J. Genetic gain from selection and potential for improving alfalfa phosphorus uptake and removal from soils heavily amended with poultry litter. Euphytica 209, 495–506 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-016-1677-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-016-1677-3