Quantitative genetic analysis reveals potential to breed for improved white clover growth in symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium bacteria.

ABSTRACT: White clover (Trifolium repens) is integral to mixed pastures in New Zealand and temperate agriculture globally. It provides quality feed and a sustainable source of plant-available nitrogen (N) via N-fixation through symbiosis with soil-dwelling Rhizobium bacteria. Improvement of N-fixation in white clover is a route to enhancing sustainability of temperate pasture production. Focussing on seedling growth critical for crop establishment and performance, a population of 120 half-sibling white clover families was assessed with either N-supplementation or N-fixation via inoculation with a commercial Rhizobium strain (TA1). Quantitative genetic analysis identified significant (p < 0.05) family additive genetic variance for Shoot and Root Dry Matter (D

SUBMITTER: Weith SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9534031 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature