Variability in seed yield of multi-cut barseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.)‎ gene pool

Abstract EN

The objective of the recent study was to detect variability in Egyptian multi-cut barseem gene pool via studying four different commercial populations regarding seed yield and seed yield components.

These were; Khadarwi, Meskawi, Serow and Helaly.

Means of total seed weight.plant-1were approximately similar for Khadarawi (26.131g) and Meskawi (26.122) population.

This was affected by similar figures for seed yield components.

Serow population scored the least seed weight.plant-1 (21.981g) affected largely by the least number of seed.head-1 (37.79 seed.head-1).

Meanwhile, Helaly population had the second least total seed weight.plant-1 (23.49g) affected also by low figure of number of seed.head-1 .

Major proportion of total variance (σ2p)was contributed by the genotypic component (σ2g) in total seed weight.

plant-1 and number of heads.plant-1in all studied barseem populations.

Whereas, the genotypic variance represented a very limited portion of phenotypic variance for other studied seed yield components in all studied populations.

Heritability estimates in khadarawi and Meskawi populations postulated a strong genetic control on total seed weight .plant-1 and number of heads.

plant-1 (0.98 and 0.97%).

While, weak estimates were recorded for number of seeds.head-1, seed weight.head-1and 1000 seed weight (0.23, 0.13 and 0.04%, respectively).

Estimates of expected gain from selection the top 10% of half-sib families of khadarawi population might result in 59.85% increase in total seed weight, which amount to15.64 g.plant1 .Concerning Helaly population selecting the top 10% of half-sib families might result in total seed weight.plant-1 and number heads.plant-1 increase of 72.43 and 67.09% which might amount to 17.01g.plant-1 and 105.8heads.plant-1 .