The use of fall dormancy for distinguishing between varieties of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

摘要

France is responsible of the DUS (Distinction-Uniformity-Stability) testing of new varieties of lucerne (Medicago saliva L.) for several European countries, The aims of this study are to optimize the protocol of measuring fall dormancy of lucerne. This potential DUS character might be able to improve the determination of distinctness of new lucerne varieties from the growing reference collection. Currently, 12 measurements of height from 4 cuts are needed to estimate fall dormancy. The trials are made by the GEVES (Groupe d'Etude et de controle des Varietes Et des Semences) at Montpellier, Although fall dormancy is a continuous variable, this character distinguished three groups of lucerne varieties, Statistical studies on data from three trials showed redundancy of the 12 measurements. The combination of three measurements distinguished 73% of the most dormant varieties representing the biggest group of varieties commercialized. Using fall dormancy as a complementary DUS character and assigning each lucerne variety to one of these fall dormancy groups will aid discrimination and reduce the cost of trials.