INDUCED QUANTITATIVE VARIATION FOR AGRONOMIC AND RELATED CHARACTERS IN BIRD’S-FOOT TREFOIL (Lotus corniculatus)

Seed of Lotus corniculatus L. (Leguminosae) was treated with a wide range of dosages of unfiltered X-rays, ethyl methanesulfonate, 8-ethoxycaffeine, N-hydroxyurea, and 2-aminopurine. Approximately 7500 M1 plants were raised, including 1500 controls. The plants were selfed, selectively and nonselectively crossed for four generations and assessed for induced changes in seed and forage yields, hydrocyanoglycoside (HCA) content in the leaves, flowering time, pod dehiscence, and winter hardiness. A total of 18 mutant lines were recovered from a population of 22 000 plants. Quantitative variations, both increased and decreased, were observed in the M2 to M4 progeny for seed and forage yield, HCA content, and flowering time. No differences were observed for pod dehiscence and winter hardiness. Varying degrees of transmission of quantitative traits occurred which ranged from nearly complete transmission in high HCA lines to zero transmission in lines of low seed yield and early and late flowering.Key words: Lotus corniculatus, bird’s-foot trefoil, forage yield, mutagenesis