ABSTRACT
White clover (Trifolium repens L.) collection and characterization in the south of Chile

Fernando Ortega K.1, Rolando Oemanet F.2, Osvaldo Paladines M.3, y Marcia Medel R.4
 

Fifty one accessions of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) were collected between the 38º 15' and 42º 45' south latitude in order to characterize and select those ecotypes adapted to low phosphorus content and Iightly acid soils. The characterization was carried out in four different environments: without phosphorus and irrigation; without phosphorus and with irrigation; with phosphorus and without irrigation; with phosphorus and irrigation. Most of the accessions corresponded to the intermediate leaf group; the exception was the accession 2-3-X, which corresponded to the large or ladino groups. Eight of the accessions had better adaptation to the four environments than the cultivar Huia. Among them, 2-3-X and 7-1-X were much betterthanthe others and showed a higher responseto the irrigation and phosphorus fertilization.

Keywords: Trifolium repens L, collection, characterization, breeding.
1 Estación Experimental Carillanca (INIA), Casilla 58-D, Temuco, Chile.
2 Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de la Frontera, Casilla 54-D, Temuco, Chile.
3 Red de Pastizales Andinos (REPAAN), Casilla 219, Suc. 16, Quito, Ecuador.
4 Facultad de Agronomia, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Casilla 6177, Santiago, Chile.