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Use of a cellulolytic enzyme digestion technique to distinguish bloat-causing from non-bloat-causing legumes and to select for speed of mesophyll cell-wall disintegration in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

F. I. Sant
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Plas Oogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3EB
D. Wilson
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Plas Oogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, SY23 3EB

Summary

Cell walls of three bloat-causing legumes, lucerne, red clover and white clover tended to be thinner and disintegrated significantly (P < 0·05) faster during cellulase digestion than those of two non-bloat-causing legumes, sainfoin (reported to contain tannins) and cicer milkvetch (reported not to contain tannins). Response to one generation of selection for speed of mesophyll cell-wall disintegration was marked in a diploid red clover (h2 = 0·66, 1·13) but slight in a tetraploid (h2 = 0·10, 0·13).

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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References

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