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Effects of inbreeding on nodal root system morphology and architecture of white clover (Trifolium repens L.)

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Abstract

Plants of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) cultivar Crau, a self-fertile Crau genotype, and nine generations of inbred progeny were raised in sand culture in a glasshouse experiment. Digital images of the root systems were made and root morphological characteristics were determined on all the plants. Root architectural parameters were measured on the Crau parent and the S1, S4, S6, and S9 inbred lines. The clover roots became shorter and thicker with inbreeding but the number of root tips per plant was unchanged. Root architecture (branching pattern) was largely unaffected by inbreeding. It is concluded that inbreeding white clover will lead to shorter, thicker roots, and reduced nutrient uptake efficiency compared with the parent clover. The degree to which these deleterious traits are overcome during the development of F1 hybrids needs to be determined.

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Acknowledgements

Dr J. E. Waller for statistical analysis of the data. Greig Cousins for supplying the inbred clover material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgResearch, Ruakura Research Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand

    Shirley N. Nichols & James R. Crush

  2. AgResearch, Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Derek R. Woodfield

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  1. Shirley N. Nichols
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  2. James R. Crush
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  3. Derek R. Woodfield
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Correspondence to Shirley N. Nichols.

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Nichols, S.N., Crush, J.R. & Woodfield, D.R. Effects of inbreeding on nodal root system morphology and architecture of white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Euphytica 156, 365–373 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-007-9386-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-007-9386-6

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