New pre-breeding genetic resources of Iranian wild clovers for using in agronomic systems

Presenca of diversity in the crop genetic resources including forage crops is necessary for sustainable agriculture. To introduce superior germplasms of new clover species to use in the agronomic system this project was performed. A total of 108 accessions belong to 13 clover species were sown in a field experiment in September, 2007. A selection of 30 accessions from 10 species were sown in the second year (September, 2008). One-way ANOVA showed significant differences among the accessions as well as the species for agronomic traits. Grouping of Duncan analysis for the species and accessions were performed for each agronomic trait. Multiple regression analysis explained 72% of variation for stem length at flowering explained by growth habit, leaf stem ratio, and days to ripening traits. Based on the analysis of variance, and Duncan analysis results; T. echinatum, T. purpureum, T. diffusum, T. hirtum, and T. lappaceum in descending order of forage yield can be used in the agronomic systems of Iran as new species. Accessions: 50TN00708, 50TN00822, 50TN00592, 50TN01444, and 50TN01586 of T. echinatum, T. purpureum, and T. diffusum species proposed as high potential accessions after Persian clover. Seed of selected species were regenerated in the isolated system and seed of superior accessions multiplicated for the future experiments.