Variation in morphology and seed production of snow clover [Trifolium pratense L. subsp. nivale (Koch) Arcang.] germplasm from the Rhaetian Alps, Italy

• Published in: Genetic resources and crop evolution Vol. 55; no. 7; pp. 939 - 947
• Main Authors: Pecetti, L, Romani, M, De Rosa, L, Franzini, E, Della Marianna, G, Gusmeroli, F, Tosca, A, Paoletti, R, Piano, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands 01.11.2008; Springer Netherlands; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Airborne microorganisms; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Crop yield; Crops; Cultivars; Flowering; Flowers; Genetic resources; Germplasm; Growing season; Incompatibility; Indigenous species; Landscape; Legumes; Life Sciences; Mating; Mildew; Morphology; Mortality; Mountains; Plant Genetics and Genomics; Plant Physiology; Plant Sciences; Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Population studies; Populations; Research Article; Restoration; Revegetation; Seeds; Self-incompatibility; Snow; Trifolium pratense; Valleys; Variation; Alps; Italy; Mating system; High-altitude environment; Ecological restoration; Site-specific species; Genetic resources
• ISSN: 0925-9864; 1573-5109
• DOI: 10.1007/s10722-007-9301-y

A recent approach to restoration of degraded mountain landscapes (e.g. ski slopes) recommend to sow seed mixtures including 'site-specific' species, i.e. native germplasm adapted to the prevailing conditions and ecologically compatible with the area of intervention. To better exploit the potential of these species and enhance their spread in revegetation projects, deeper knowledge is needed, however, on the existing variation in their germplasm, particularly for economically useful traits such as seed yield. Snow clover is one of the recommended 'site-specific' legumes. This study evaluated 12 populations of snow clover, collected in three valleys of the Rhaetian Alps, Italy, to assess their variation and highlight any promising material. The evaluation encompassed a mountain and a lowland site, to verify the behaviour of the germplasm also in one environment markedly different from that of origin. Differences among valleys were observed for flower colour, growth habit and type, flowering time and susceptibility to mildew, although the overall pattern of phenotypic diversity was similar among valleys. Some effect of the evaluation site on the expression of morphological and seed production traits, and on the overall diversity, was also evident. Furthermore, the lowland site experienced very high plant mortality towards the end of the first growing season. Individual populations proved a valuable source of variation for seed production. Some populations, in particular, were worth of attention for a possible selection of high-seed-yielding snow clover cultivars. An assessment of the mating system suggested a lack of self-tripping or an almost absolute self-incompatibility in snow clover.