engleski

Adaptability of introduced grass-clover mixtures to Croatian environments

Main goals in grass and clover breeding, aimed at their utilisation in mixtures are persistency, frost tolerance and competitiveness. The value of a particular cultivar in monoculture is not the indicator of the capacity of its performance in mixtures. Therefore, the insight into features of grass and clover cultivars in mixtures in specific growing conditions is important in selection of germplasm which will be used in further breeding work. The objectives of this investigation were to estimate mixtures x environment interactions for important agronomic traits of fifteen clover grass mixtures, to assess germplasm valuable for breeding development of new cultivars, and to determine the most suitable mixtures for growing under specific environmental condition. A field trial was established in 1998 at three locations in Croatia (Vrbovec, Otočac, Medvednica). Fifteen grass-clover mixtures were evaluated. Five mixtures originated from Austria, three from Germany, six from Slovenia, and one from Croatia. Green matter yield, dry matter yield and crude protein content were studied in 1999, 2000 and 2001. Crude fibre and fat content were studied in 2000 and 2001. Various stability parameters were used for assessment of stability of investigated traits. Investigated mixtures varied significantly in the investigated traits, more in the green and dry matter yield, and less in the content of crude protein, crude fibre, and fat. Statistically significant differences were found between locations and years. Interactions mixture x location, mixture x year, location x year and mixture x location x year were also significant. Three mixtures appeared to be interesting for breeding purposes. Within these mixtures the most adaptable and the most persistent were Dactylis glomerata L. and Festuca pratensis among the grass species, and Trifolium pratense L. among the clover species. Low correlation between yield and protein content showed the possibility of developing new cultivars based on yield breeding without affecting protein content. Different mixtures were selected and recommended for commercial production for each of experimental location.

grass-clover mixtures; agronomic traits; mixture x environment interactions

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