Phen )typic Variability among the Germplasm Lines of Egyptian Clover (Trifi lium alexandrinum L.)
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Abstract
Egyptian clover or Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) is a widely adapted good nutritious annual fodder crop. To
estimate the genetic variability, 598 lines of berseem were evaluated using augmented block design. The material
included released varieties, advanced breeding lines, induced tetraploid lines and ecotypes. Although wide range
of variation was observed for most of the traits, a closer look indicated that the majority of the accessions centered
around the mean leaving little number of accessions on the extremes. The frequency distribution was observed
to be symmetrical and unimodal for most of the traits indicating thereby a continuous variation among the population.
Similar trend was observed for floral and seed characters. Marked differences were observed among the diploid
and tetraploid genotypes for foliar traits such as leaflet shape, size, margin and surface hairiness. The study indicated
that the germplasm had derived from narrow genetic base. Promising lines were identified which have high value
for particular traits and can be exploited in genetic improvement programme.