Available on-line at http://dse.usab-tm.ro Banats Journal of Biotechnology 2012, III(5),

BIOMETRIC PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY OF VARIETIES AND LOCAL POPULATIONS BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL UNDER THE SOIL AND CLIMATIC CONDITIONS OF

Boryana Churkova

Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agricultire, 281, Street., 5600 Troyan, : E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract. For determination of the plant height, number of main stems and productivity of varieties and populations birdsfoot trefoil a field experiment was carried out during 2008-2010 period in RIMSA – Troyan. Objects of study were the populations originating from: , , Kiten, Tryavna, , as well as genotypes of the varieties: V. Podolyanskii (Russia), Dedinovskii (Russia), Martanskii (Russia), Zora (Serbia), Bokor (Serbia), Smolenskii (Russia). Variety 1 (St) was used for comparison. The aim of this study is was to investigate the biometric and quantitative indicators of birdsfoot trefoil varieties and populations under agro-ecological conditions of Troyan. The highest forage productivity was obtained in variety Dedinovskii, under the soil and climatic conditions of Troyan. The variety was characterized by high stems and the highest number of main stems. The populations originating Nesebar and Kiten also realize high productivity. The lowest productive was obtained in the variety Zora, due to its poor adaptability to specific soil conditions and lower its productive potential. The third year of the experimental period was characterized by rather high productivity of all studied accessions. The average height of all varieties and populations was 25.4 cm, with minimum and maximum 22.5 cm 29.2 cm. According to the variation coefficient values of the indicator stem height (CV=6.73%) was set very low variability. Average for the period of the investigation the values for the number of main stems varied from 23.7 to 44.0 and their maximum was observed in a variety Dedinovskii (44.0), Martanskii (37.7) and population Nesebar (37.0). The higher density of these accessions and explains their higher productivity. Key words: birdsfoot trefoil, varieties and populations, plant height, number of main stems, productivity

Introduction targeted way to use can be major factors Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus determining the choice of species and cultures L.) is a widespread perennial legume forage [PECETTI, 2009]. [HASHIGUCHI, 2011; SWANSON, 1990; SUGINOBU, 1988]. The The aim of this study is was to wild forms were found in temperate regions of investigate the biometric and quantitative Europe [DROBNÁ, 2010; VUCKOVIC et al., 2007], Asia indicators of birdsfoot trefoil varieties and Minor, North Africa, North and South populations under agro-ecological conditions America, Australia and New Zealand. of Troyan. Establishing a relationship between morphological, ecological and productive Material and methods characteristics of birdsfoot trefoil cultivars The study was conducted during the and populations can provide information for 2008-2010 period in RIMSA – Troyan on better use of certain genotypes. Different light grey pseudo podzolic soil. varieties and trefoil populations from different The trial was laid out by the block regions are characterized by specific method with 4 replications and size of harvest biological and morphological properties, such plot of 1 m2. Objects of study were the as growth and development, number of stems, populations originating from: Shumen, length of main stem and productivity [ADU et al., Nesebar, Kiten, Tryavna, Sadovo, as well as 1998; MCKENZIE, 2004; PECETTI, 2009]. Bulgaria is an genotypes of the varieties: V. Podolyanskii important center of origin of genes for many (Russia), Dedinovskii (Russia), Martanskii kinds of legumes, including birdsfoot trefoil (Russia), Zora (Serbia), Bokor (Serbia), [CHOURKOVA, 2011; CHOURKOVA and LINGORSKI, 2011]. Smolenskii (Russia). Variety Targovishte 1 Given the high rates of these indicators, some (St) was used for comparison. populations might serve as a valuable material The mode of soil tillage was reported for breeding. The specific adaptation and in another publication [CHURKOVA and MIHOVSKI, 42

Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Timisoara,

Contact: web: http://dse.usab-tm.ro, e-mail: [email protected]

2000]. Sowing was conducted by hand, Results and discussion broadcast at the sowing rate of 0.012 t/ha. Plant height per year Fertilizing with phosphorus and The main elements that determine the potassium was conducted as reserve yield of dry mass were plant height and application at the dose of 0.16 t/ha active number of their main stems. According to the ingredient together with the basic soil tillage, indicator plant height (Table 1) varieties and and nitrogen was applied once before sowing populations vary greatly over the years from at the dose of 0.06 t/ha active ingredient. the test period. The height of the plants was Recording of the observed directly related to the climatic characteristics characterized were conducted at the stage of of the area. In the sowing year the lowest budding-early flowering of sward. stems was obtained of a variety Zora (22.5 The following characters were cm), and the highest in cultivar Dedinovskii recorded: (29.2 cm). The stems of plants of the varieties V. Podolyanskii (24.2 cm) and Targovishte 1 Plant height per year (cm) (24.7 cm), and the population originating The plant height reported immediately Sadovo (24.9 cm) were with approximately before harvesting any undergrowth. The two similar heights. The populations Shumen and diagonals of each plot were measured at 4 Nesebar were equally high (25.7 cm). The points plants from the soil surface to the top varieties Martanskii and Bokor also have of the highest stems. On the basis of the data approximately the same values, respectively was calculated the average performance. 26.0 and 26.8 cm. The average height of all varieties and populations was 25.4 cm, with Number of stems per plant. minimum and maximum 22.5 cm 29.2 cm. The number of stems per plant have According to the variation coefficient value of established the amount of stems birdsfoot the indicator stem height (CV = 6.73%) was trefoil 1 m2 at the time of harvesting crop. set very low degree of variability in the pattern of Mamaev. In the second year of the Dry mass yield (t/ha-1) test period the average height of plants in the The dry mass yield was determined tested samples reached 43.2 cm with a by drying the medium samples (200 g) to minimum value 37.7 (variety Smolenskii) and constant weight at 1050 C. The yield was maximum 47.5 cm (Kiten population) and calculated by undergrowth have been grazed very low variability CV = 6.2. Except for for each test year based on yield of green variety Smolenskii stems of the plants tested mass and dry matter percentage of the same. in varieties and populations differ significantly in their height values. It ranges Statistical analysis from 41.4 to 47.5 cm. During the third year The study included average data of the height of the stems noted significantly the different characteristics by years. The higher values than that measured in the average values (x) of the dry mass yield were remaining two years. The limits of variation calculated [LIDANSKI, 1988]. The degree of values of plant height were lower than the variation (CV) of parameters was determined heights in the previous two years CV = 5.2, though variation coefficient according to the the highest were the stems of a variety Zora scheme of Mamaev: up to 7% - very low, 7.1 (53.2 cm), while the lowest variety to 12.0 % low, 12.1 to 20.0 % moderate; 20.1 Smolenskii (43.2 cm). The average height at – 40.0 % high: over 40.0 % - very high. The the tested varieties and populations ranged data was processed by Microsoft Excel. The from 35.2 to 41.5 cm at a very low degree of significant differences were determined by the variability in the values of the variational methods of dispersion analysis. coefficient (CV = 3.8).

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Available on-line at http://dse.usab-tm.ro Banats Journal of Biotechnology 2012, III(5),

Table 1. Plant height per year (cm) Varieties and 2008 2009 2010 Mean for the populations period Targovishte 1 (St) 24.7 41.4 48.5 39.7 Shumen, 25.7 46.4 49.2 40.4 Nesebar 25.7 44.1 49.7 39.8 Kiten 23.4 47.5 50.1 40.0 Tryavna 25.8 41.7 52.0 39.9 Sadovo 24.9 45.1 50.0 39.5 Podolyanskii 24.2 43.1 49.8 39.6 Dedinovskii 29.2 41.7 52.5 39.7 Martanskii 26.0 42.2 50.8 39.1 Zora 22.5 45.5 53.2 41.5 Bokor 26.8 41.7 52.4 40.3 Smolenskii 22.3 37.7 43.2 35.2 X 25.4 43.2 50.1 39.6 SD 1.7 2.7 2.6 1.5 VC 6.7 6.2 5.2 3.8 MIN 22.5 37.7 43.2 35.2 MAX 29.2 47.5 53.2 41.5

Number of stems per plant Martanskii were with the highest part of the The density of the grass depends on stems in grass composition, respectively 75 the age of plants and climatic conditions. In and 70. Among the tested populations the first year of the test period the lowest Nesebar and Kiten had the highest values (62 number stems was due to the slower pace of and 60). The limits of variation significantly growth and development of the birdsfoot superior to those in the second year, the trefoil. The greatest range of the values of this coefficient of variation in value was indicator between the accessions was approximately similar to that in the second observed in 2008 (CV = 50.4) and year (VC = 21.81) to set a very high degree of significantly reduced over the next two years. variability. The average for the period the The limit of variation was from 2 to 15, stems were from 23.7 to 23.44.0, as most they average value 7.83. In the variation coefficient occurred in a variety Dedinovskii (44.0), value of 50.4 was recorded very high degree Martanskii (37.7) and population Nesebar of variability. The second year when the crop (37.0). The higher density of these samples reaches its maximum productive capacity, the was explained by their higher productivity. highest number of stems was obtained from variety DedinovskiI (42), followed by Dry mass yield population Nessebar and variety Martanskii In the sowing year the highest (38). Approximately similar values for the averages yield of dry mass was in variety number of main stems were population Dedinovskiy (X = 5.33 t. ha-1), followed by Tryavna (31), variety Zora (31) and variety Bokor (X = 5.10 t. ha-1). The populations Sadovo (30) and variety Bokor populations Shumen and Sadovo, variety (30) and Smolenskii (30). According to the Bokor were characterized by moderate degree variation value of the coefficient - CV = 19.17 of variation, respectively variational was found moderate variation in this coefficients VC - 18.45, 17.85 and 16.41. All indicator, with a mean value X = 31.5. During other accessions were a high volatility of this the third year of the test period the density indicator. In the second year the highest yield was significantly higher than that in the notes variety Zora, where the average was second year, because of exceptionally the 9.21 t. ha-1 .The variety Bokor was the lowest good water supply in the months of formation yield of dry mass reported average values of both cuts. The varieties Dedinovskii and registered at X = 7.48 t. ha-1. 44

Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Timisoara,

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Table 2. Number of stems per plant Varieties and 2008 2009 2010 Mean for the populations period Targovishte 1 5 25 41 23.7 (St) Shumen, 7 20 59 28.7 Nesebar 11 38 62 37.0 Kiten 10 35 60 35.0 Tryavna 2 31 53 28.7 Sadovo 7 30 50 29.0 Podolyanskii 11 28 43 27.3 Dedinovskii 15 42 75 44.0 Martanskii 5 38 70 37.7 Zora 12 31 40 27.7 Bokor 6 30 48 28.0 Smolenskii 3 30 42 25.0 X 7.8 31.5 53.58 30.9 SD 3.9 6.04 11.69 6.06 VC 50.4 19.2 21.81 19.56 MIN 2.0 20.0 40.0 23.67 MAX 15.0 42.0 75.0 44.00

There was a significantly lower productivity, while the lowest variation. The degree of variation in the values of the standard variety and population Tryavna variational rate over the previous year. The were very low variability. All other varieties variety standard was the low level of variation had average CV. The lowest productive was of VC - 10.37, with average - populations of variety Bokor (X = 13.10 t.ha-1), due to its Shumen (VC - 17.35), Nesebar (VC - 19.54) poor adaptability to specific soil conditions and Kiten (VC - 18.47) and variety and lower its productive potential. The variety Podolyanskii (VC - 15.14) and Zora (VC - Dedinovskii was characterized by rather 15.54). All other accessions were a high higher productive potential (X = 16.32 t.ha-1) degree of variation in productivity indicators. and low variability in variational coefficient During the third year was highest (VC - 8.70). Table 3. Variation of dry mass yield per year Varieties 2008 2009 2010 and X SD VC X SD VC X SD VC populations Targovishte 4.56 113.38 24.85 9.00 93.35 10.37 13.85 63.51 4.59 1 (St) Shumen, 4.56 84.17 18.45 8.67 150.50 17.35 13.87 124.47 8.97 Nesebar 4.36 115.84 34.81 8.30 162.35 19.54 14.42 178.96 12.41 Kiten 4.38 118.50 27.01 8.73 161.42 18.47 14.30 213.23 14.91 Tryavna 4.48 98.62 21.98 8.25 202.77 24.58 13.72 104.68 7.63 Sadovo 4.65 82.98 17.85 8.10 198.06 24.45 14.25 153.51 10.77 Podolyanskii 4.36 104.87 24.04 8.15 123.40 15.14 13.17 123.93 9.41 Dedinovskii 5.33 141.92 26.59 8.58 226.11 26.33 16.32 141.98 8.70 Martanskii 4.90 108.5 22.14 8.56 276.66 32.31 14.12 204.67 14.49 Zora 4.17 116.96 28.01 9.21 143.17 15.54 14.05 203.06 14.45 Bokor 5.10 83.67 16.41 7.48 225.42 30.11 13.10 187.08 14.28 Smolenskii 4.36 116.61 26.73 8.52 254.77 29.88 13.55 154.16 11.38 45

Available on-line at http://dse.usab-tm.ro Banats Journal of Biotechnology 2012, III(5),

The variation coefficient of the region. Banat’s Journal of Biotechnology, II, variety standard of this indicatorr showed very 4: 14-17. low value, (VC - 4.59). The populations 4. Drobná J., 2010. Morphological variation in Shumen, Tryavna, Sadovo and varieties natural populations of Lotus corniculatus in Podolyanskii, Dedinovskii and Smolenskii association to geographical parameters of collecting sites. Biologia, 65, 2: 213-218. were a low degree of variability and any other 5. Pecetti L, P. Annicchiarico, F. Battini, S. environment. Cappelli, 2009. Adaptation of forage legume species and cultivars under grazing in two Conclusions extensive livestock systems in . European The highest forage productivity was Journal of Agronomy, 30, 3; 199–204. obtained in variety Dedinovskii, under the soil 6. Lidanski T. 1988. Statistical methods in and climatic conditions of Troyan. The variety biology and agriculture, Zemizdat, 150- was characterized by high stems and the 187. highest number of main stems. The 7. Hashiguchi M, Sh. Tsuruta, R Akashi, 2011. populations originating Nesebar and Kiten Morphological Traits of Lotus japonicus (Regal) Ecotypes Collected in Japan. also realize high productivity. The lowest Interdisciplinary Bio Central, 3, 4: 1-8 productive was obtained in the variety Zora, 8. McKenzie DB, YA. Papadopoulos, KB. due to its poor adaptability to specific soil McRae, 2004. Harvest management affects conditions and lower its productive potential. yield and persistence of birdsfoot trefoil The third year of the experimental period was (Lotus corniculatus L.) in cool summer characterized by rather high productivity of all climates. Can J Plant Science, 84: 525-528. studied accessions. The average height of all 9. Suginobu K, S. Suzuki, T. Komatsu, 1988. varieties and populations was 25.4 cm, with Evaluation of the characteristics in minimum and maximum 22.5 cm 29.2 cm. Miyakogusa (Lotus corniculatus L. var. According to the variation coefficient values japonicus Regal) 3. Characteristics of local strains collected from different regions in of the indicator stem height (CV = 6.73%) Japan. J Jpn Grassl Sci (in Japanese with was set very low variability. Average for the English abstract) ,34:13-19. period of the investigation the values for the 10. Swanson, E, B. Somers, T. Tomes, 1990. number of main stems varied from 23.7 to Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). 44.0 and their maximum was observed in a Legumes and Oilseed Crops I. Biotechnology variety Dedinovskii (44.0), Martanskii (37.7) in Agriculture and Forestry (Berlin: Springer) and population Nessebar (37.0). The higher 10: 323-340. density of these accessions and explains their 11. Vuckovic S., I. Stojanovic, S. Prodanovic, B. higher productivity. Cupina, T. Zivanovic, S. Vojin, S. Jelacic 2007. Morphological and Nutritional Properties of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus References corniculatus L.) Autochthonous Populations in 1. Adu K, N. Barry, R Wilson, D. Kemp, 1998. Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genetic Evaluation of Lotus corniculatus for Resources and Crop Evolution Vol. 54, 2: increasing pre-weaning growth of red and 421-428 hybrid deer. J Agric Sciences; 131: 237-43. 2. Chourkova B (2011) Correlations dependence and degree of variation between yield and Received: March 29, 2012 some morphological parameters in birdsfoot Accepted: April 24, 2012 trefoil (Lous corniculatus L) accessions. Bulgarian journal of Agricultural Science, 17: 437-441 3. Chourkova B., V. Lingorski, 2011. Characteristics of varieties and populations birdsfoot trefoil for seed yield under the soil and weather growing conditions of the Troyan

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