Project Number: 6218-21410-003-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2005
End Date: Apr 30, 2010

Objective:
Objective 1: The first objective of this cooperative research project is to determine the level of herbicide tolerance of white clover germplasm (Trifolium repens), originating from 1964 LAS-1 breeder¿s seed, that has been previously screened through tissue culture for tolerance to the herbicides Plateau or Grazon. Objective 2: The second objective is to evaluate experimental alfalfa (Medicago sativa) germplasm selected in Louisiana by LSU Agricultural Center personnel for adaptation to adverse environmental conditions.

Approach:
Objective 1: Synthetic populations (Syn 1) and half-sib progeny, produced from tissue culture derived Louisiana white clover plants, will be screened in Louisiana and Oklahoma field trials for tolerance to Plateau or Grazon. If significant levels of tolerance are observed, heritability will be determined, seed increased, and agronomic evaluations made. Objective 2: A synthetic population of alfalfa, produced from 31 cycle 4 plants selected for stress tolerance and persistence in Louisiana, will be evaluated in Louisiana and Oklahoma for agronomic performance, broad adaptation, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and persistence. Full-sib progeny, from factorial mating of these plants, will be produced in Oklahoma, for evaluation and selection in Louisiana and Oklahoma.