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Submitted to: Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2001 Publication Date: 6/1/2002 Citation: Morris, J.B. A novel technique for plant and seed regeneration of freeze sensitive berseem and persian clover in georgia, usa. Plant genetic resources newsletter, 2002. Plant genetic resources newsletter 130: 47-50. Interpretive Summary: Berseem and persian clovers originate from the Mediterranean area and Europe and are planted on approximately 6,000 ha annually in the USA. More than 250 accessions of these two species are stored at the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit at Griffin, GA. Both species are unable to overwinter in the field at Griffin, GA during the winter. We report a technique to regenerate berseem and persian clover accessions by germinating the seeds in the greenhouse and transplanting to the field by April. Seed regeneration produces 104 to 74,000 seeds per plot of the entries when using this technique compared to 0 seeds recovery when plants were grown during the cool winter season. Thus, this technique proved extremely useful in the regeneration of plants and seed during the spring/summer season. Technical Abstract: Berseem and persian clover were direct seeded into soil inside the greenhouse during January through February at a temperature range of 21/26 C. Six to eight week old seedlings were transplanted to the field in Griffin, GA. Seventy-five accessions of berseem and persian clover were evaluated. High quality plants regenerated from all accessions produced 104 to 74,000 seed weighing 0.1 g to 88.56 g. The spring/summer off season regeneration technique can produce high quality seed from these berseem and perian genetic resources. |
