Characteristics of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations collected in West- and North-West Estonia

摘要

During the expeditions organised in West- and North-West Estonia in 2002, seeds of natural red clover populations were gathered. Two field trials of these populations were established at the Jogeva Plant Breeding Institute: one (2003) for the assessment of development rate and seed yield, and the other (2006) for the evaluation of dry matter yield and its quality in a three-cut utilization regime. Data were collected from both trials during two years. Of yield quality indicators, crude protein content was determined from a general sample. Based on further sampling, the percentage of alien species in the harvested biomass was determined as well as the ratio of leaves and stalks in red clover biomass, and crude protein content in biomass fractions. The early diploid red clover cultivar Jogeva 433 was used in the trials as a control variety. The aim of the research was to estimate the breeding value of red clover populations in Estonia to find out the potential for utilization. Altogether 22 natural red clover populations were studied.