Clover and Special Purpose Legumes
Germplasm Status Report

Prepared by

The Clover & Special Purpose Legume Crop Germplasm Committee

June, 1996

Table of Contents

Abstract

I. Introduction

II. Present Germplasm Activities
A. Germplasm Collections
B. Primary Research Locations
III. Status of Crop Vulnerability
A. Trifolium species
B. Other CSPL genera
IV. Germplasm Needs
A. Collection
B. Preservation
C. Evaluation
D. Enhancement
V. Recommendations
A. Priority actions
B. Budget Recommendations
VI. Reflections
REFERENCES
Table 1.
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4

Compiled by K. H. Quesenberry

Abstract

The Clover and Special Purpose Legume (CSPL) Crop Germplasm Committee (CGC) is responsible for all temperate and tropical legumes except alfalfa and the annual Medicago species. This includes some 230 species of Trifolium and an additional 100 or more genera of temperate and tropical forage legumes. These species are a major component of grassland agriculture and are of paramount importance for meat and milk production and for soil conservation. These legumes are adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. The need for forage legumes as a critical component of sustainable agriculture production systems is more important today than ever. There is very little private research being conducted with these legumes. Therefore, public support is essential to continue to supply the agricultural community with adapted clovers and special purpose legumes.

Since our 1987 report, the committee has made excellent progress with our stated goals. We have identified core subsets in all major species and are regenerating seed of all core subsets. We are in the progress of quantifying descriptors of the core subsets. Descriptors have been approved for all major species. Evaluations of descriptors for over 40 traits on over 25 species have been completed during this period.

In this report we highlight: 1). Present germplasm activities by the states and USDA-ARS, 2). Status of crop vulnerability in the clovers and special purpose legumes, 3). Needs for collection, preservation, evaluation, and enhancement in the clovers and special purpose legumes, and 4). recommendations for priority actions in these legumes. In general, research activities with these legumes has declining since 1987, but a dedicated core of researchers remain. Most species are not deemed as extremely vulnerable to germplasm erosion, but specific needs for collection and germplasm exchange are highlighted. Regeneration of present collections (both older accessions and newly collected materials) is deemed as high priority to improve the quality of working collections and provide backup in NSSL. Evaluation of core collections and enhancement of selected traits is seen as a continuing high priority need.

Specific recommendations include:

  1. Conduct seed increases of perennial clovers and other temperate and tropical legume accessions, with emphasis on recently collected accessions from Bulgaria and the Western U.S., including restoration of funding lost in 1995.

  2. Systematic evaluation of all descriptors for core collections of Trifolium spp. and update GRIN data as seed of core subsets is increased.

  3. Collection of perennial Trifolium spp. and other special use legumes from Europe, Africa, and from the Western and Eastern U.S.

  4. Integrate the tropical legume collection at IRREC, Ft. Pierce, FL into the USDA NPGS including assignment of PI numbers.

  5. Development and incorporation of descriptors for other genera into GRIN.

  6. Establish core collections of other CSPL species.

  7. Establishment of in situ preservation sites for native U.S. CSPL species.

The CSPL-CGC members have a high level of dedication and commitment to germplasm activities. We sometimes feel that the advise and counsel of the committee is not sought in the early stages of germplasm decisions, but we seek to continue to work with the NPGS leadership to improve the quality of the collections. We feel our evaluation activities have been extremely productive and merit continued and increased support.

I. Introduction

In the report which the Clover and Special Purpose Legume (CSPL) Crop Germplasm Committee (CGC) submitted in March 1987 we stated that the overall economic worth of the clovers and special purpose legumes to U.S. agriculture is difficult to assess since statistical reporting services have ceased to report the usage of these species or have combined the information with other species. This situation has not changed and documentation of economic worth of these commodities remains a subject of considerable speculation. Nevertheless, these legume species remain a major component of grassland agriculture and are of paramount importance for meat and milk production and for soil conservation. The clovers are adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Unlike alfalfa, which is grown extensively on the better soils in the North Central area of the U.S., the clovers and other special purpose legumes have a much wider area of adaptation and ability to adjust to much wetter and more acid soils. The perennial clovers, primarily red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover (T. repens L.), are grown extensively in the North Central and Northeastern areas and in the South as winter annuals (Smith, et al., 1985; Van Keuren and Hoveland, 1985). According to Gibson and Hollowell (1966) white clover grows in every state of the U.S. and occurs widely in pastures throughout the humid and irrigated regions. Red clover, probably the most important forage legume other than alfalfa, has long been recognized as a hay and silage crop and has recently become important in Eastern U.S. for deferred fall and winter grazing. Annual clovers, such as arrowleaf (T. vesiculosum L.), berseem (T. alexandrinum L.), crimson (T. incarnatum L.), and sub (T. subterraneum L.), are extensively grown for winter grazing in the Southeastern states. Other clovers (rose - T. hirtum All., strawberry - T. fragiferum L., ball - T. nigrescens Viv., and persian - T. resupinatum L.) are of significant importance for hay and pasture in specialized areas throughout the Southern and Western regions of the U.S. (Van Keuren & Hoveland, 1985). Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) has taken on increased importance in the area of pasture renovation, especially on marginal lands. Numerous species of the genera Aeschynomene, Astragalus, Coronilla, Desmanthus, Desmodium, Lathyrus, Lespedeza, Lotus, Lupinus, Melilotus, Onobrychis, and Vicia, to name a few, are also of significance to agriculture as forage legumes and in the area of soil conservation and reclamation. The CSPL are used in orchards and vineyards as winter ground cover and for habitat for predaceous arachnids and insects in biological control programs.

Various estimates have been reported based on seed disappearance figures which indicate that in excess of 10 million ha are seeded to clovers and special purpose legumes annually (Taylor, 1985). Approximately 4 million ha of red clover are grown annually. Assuming a yield of 5 metric ton per hectare and at $80.00 per ton, the economic worth of this species alone is 1.6 billion dollars annually or $400 per hectare. This does not consider the value of red clover as a pasture or as a seed crop, the latter returning between 23 and 27 million dollars annually (Smith, et al., 1985). In contrast, the estimated net worth of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) to our agricultural economy is 5.0 billion dollars annually. Therefore, red clover alone is worth one-third that of alfalfa and when considered collectively the forage legumes other than alfalfa have a significant impact on our food and fiber production. In addition, CSPL contribute to the N availability to subsequent crops and all species are considered to be extremely effective for improvement of soil tilth.

From the tropical legume standpoint, the acreage involved is small and almost entirely limited to Florida, the Gulf Coastal regions, and the Rio Grande Valley of the continental USA. However, research conducted in this area has broad implications to Caribbean countries where these legumes have great potential for improvement of animal production.

II. Present Germplasm Activities

A. Germplasm Collections:

  1. The location and number of accessions of Trifolium species in the USDA-NPGS, are summarized in Table 1. Primary repository sites and curators at these sites are Griffin, GA - Dr. Brad Morris; Lexington, KY - Dr. Norman Taylor; and Pullman, WA - Dr. Stephanie Greene. The two P.I. stations have the larger number of accessions, but the Trifolium curator collection at Lexington, KY has the largest number of different species. In addition, a large number of increases are located in the Trifolium curator collection at Lexington.

  2. A listing of the other special purpose legume genera which fall under the scope of the CSPL CGC is contained in Table 2. Primary repository sites and curators at these sites are Fort Pierce, FL - Dr. Al Kretschmer, Jr.; Griffin, GA - Dr. Brad Morris; Ames, IA - Mr. David Brenner; and Pullman, WA - Dr. Charles Simon and Ms. Vicki Bradley.

B. Primary Research Locations:

Research associated with clovers and special purpose legumes is being conducted at numerous locations throughout the U.S. Some of these programs conduct primarily forage management and evaluation research, but major integrated breeding and evaluation programs are located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin. Compared to a similar listing in a 1987 report, this list reflects a continued decline in both SAES and ARS positions conducting research on clovers and special purpose legumes. Since 1987, positions have been terminated at California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Only four private firms are involved in red and white clover cultivar development to a limited extent (less than 5% of their total effort). Since 1987 new or redirected programs by ARS have been initiated in Arkansas, Oregon, and West Virginia.

A brief description of activities at the major locations follows:

Alabama:

Historically, the major thrust of research was on breeding sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), vetches (Vicia spp.), white clover (Trifolium repens,) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum). More recently, work on red clover (Trifolium pratense) and caley peas (Lathyrus hirsutus) was initiated. The research conducted includes genetics, ecophysiology, germplasm evaluation, and breeding techniques for forage crops. Improved cultivars of sericea lespedeza, hairy vetch (V. villosa Roth.), caley peas and crimson clover have been released in recent years.

Arkansas:

Major focus of legume research is at the USDA-ARS station near Booneville on the agroecology, management, and establishment of clovers and special purpose legumes. This program is associated with the South-Central Family Farms Research Unit.

Florida:

Major effort in clover and special purpose legume research is associated with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, and at the USDA Subtropical Agricultural Research Station (STARS) at Brooksville, FL. Breeding effort is centered at Gainesville with a focus on red, white, and crimson clover. Additional breeding research is being conducted on the genera Aeschynomene, Arachis, and Desmodium. Evaluation research is being conducted on these and several other miscellaneous tropical legumes. A significant germplasm maintenance program for tropical legumes is located at Ft. Pierce with a major focus on germplasm evaluation. Germplasm is also being evaluated at Ona, often under animal grazing. Research at the USDA STARS involves evaluation of germplasm and breeder lines of Trifolium spp., Arachis glabrata, and Leucaena leucocephala. Germplasm evaluation in northwest Florida at Quincy and Jay has focused primarily on Trifolium spp.

Georgia:

Research focused on management and germplasm evaluation of Trifolium spp., Lotus corniculatus and other special purpose legumes is being conducted at the University of Georgia, Athens. Recent breeding research has been initiated to identify grazing tolerant red and white clover germplasm. Working collections of annual the Trifolium spp. and numerous genera of tropical special purpose legumes are maintained at the Regional Plant Introduction Station, Griffin, GA. Research is also in progress on development of a molecular map of white clover.

Kentucky:

A major research effort on the genetics, pathology, taxonomy, and breeding in Trifolium is concentrated at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY. Emphasis is on basic research at the molecular and whole plant level in numerous species with developmental research directed primarily to red and kura clover. The Trifolium species curator collection maintained by N.L. Taylor is located at Lexington.

Minnesota:

A major research effort on improving seedling vigor and developing pasture ideotypes of Trifolium ambiguum is being conducted at the University of Minnesota. Other research activities are investigating establishment techniques, fertility requirements, dinitrogen fixation potential, grazing management strategies, and seed production potential. Breeding research continues on Lotus corniculatus emphasizing glyphosate tolerance, disease resistance, and enhanced winter hardiness. In cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer), selection for improved palatability to grazing ruminants has lead to the development of populations with improved grazing potential for the upper Midwest.

Mississippi:

The USDA-ARS clover improvement program located at Mississippi State focuses on host-plant resistance to provide perennial and annual clover germplasm and/or cultivars with improved reliability and productivity through increased resistance to insects and diseases and to environmental stress. Both molecular and whole plant research is being conducted to achieve these goals. The major species in the program are arrowleaf clover, berseem clover, crimson clover, sub clover, and white clover. Other scientists from the Mississippi AES cooperate with ARS Scientists.

Missouri:

In Columbia, Missouri an ARS supported program, in cooperation with the Missouri SAES, is directed to the improvement of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). Emphasis is on development of trefoil germplasm for the humid transitional zone with emphasis on persistence. This program is the only program in the U.S. solely devoted to trefoil.

Oregon:

Major research efforts for seed production practices of Trifolium and Lotus species include supplemental irrigation and crop water stress management and genetic by cultural practice interactions. Significant research activities also include defining the range of genetic variation in clover and trefoil germplasm collections and determining relationships among natural classes of genetic variation with biochemical, ecological and agronomic characteristics.

Texas:

Basic and applied research on annual clovers is conducted at Beeville, Lubbock, and Overton, Texas with major emphasis on breeding, management, and utilization in semiarid environments. At Overton, Texas the emphasis is on breeding, genetics, and management of the annual Trifolium species. Research at Beeville, Texas has focused on germplasm evaluation of various tropical legumes and recently on Desmanthus virgatus from the Virgin Islands. These programs are funded by the Texas A & M University and Texas Tech University (Lubbock).

West Virginia:

A 1 SY clover breeding and genetics research program was initiated in November 1993 at the Appalachian Soil and Water Conservation Laboratory, USDA­ARS, Beckley, WV. Program objectives are to evaluate and enhance germplasm and develop cultivars of clover and trefoil with tolerance to acid soil and adaptation to grazing by livestock. Research on white clover is emphasized with additional work on birdsfoot trefoil and other clovers.

Wisconsin:

The major emphasis of the Wisconsin clover genetics and improvement program is on host plant resistance; genetics, cytology, cytogenetics and tissue culture; germplasm development; and breeding strategies for red and kura clover and birdsfoot trefoil. The major goals are to elucidate genetic mechanisms and their interactions which contribute to the improvement of these species and to develop high quality, persistent germplasm. To this end both basic and applied research is jointly supported by ARS and the Wisconsin AES.

III. Status of Crop Vulnerability

A. Trifolium species:

Genetic vulnerability among the cultivated clovers, T. pratense, T. repens, T. hybridum, T. incarnatum, T. vesiculosum, etc. was reviewed by Taylor, et al. (1977). The conclusion reached at that time, which still holds today, was that the trend in number and diversity of cultivars within these species in the United States is downward because of emphasis on other crops and narrowing of gene bases by breeding. Nevertheless, broad genetic diversity exists in the germplasm collections of most cultivated perennial clover species because they are cross-pollinated, heterozygous, and heterogeneous. Therefore, we conclude that the perennial clovers cultivated in the USA are not particularly vulnerable. The evidence with the cultivated annual clovers suggests less genetic variability, particularly with T. incarnatum and T. vesiculosum, for which there are minimal accessions in the U.S. collection (43 and 20, respectively). Research with molecular markers also suggests limited genetic variability among the available plant introductions (Steiner, et al., 1995).

Taylor, et al. (1977) concluded that germplasm resources of Trifolium species related to cultivated clovers are believed to be in a more hazardous position than the cultivated species. Since our 1987 report, the CSPL CGC has addressed this vulnerability through two major germplasm collection and acquisition emphases. The first of these was focused on Trifolium species from uncollected regions in Eastern Europe. Germplasm collection expeditions in Europe have been completed to Romania, the former Yugoslavia, twice to Bulgaria, and to the Republic of Georgia. These expeditions have added about 450 collections of over 50 different species to the USDA Plant Germplasm System, including new accessions of T. vesiculosum and related species, and two species not formerly in the U.S. collection. With completion of these trips, only about fifteen Trifolium species native to Europe and the Middle East are not represented in the U.S. collection by one or more accessions; however, many species still are limited in numbers of accessions. About eight species native to Africa are also not represented in the U.S. collection.

The second focus was Trifolium species from the Western United States. Our review of the USDA collection showed that about 30 Trifolium species native to the Western U.S. were not represented in the collection and that numerous others were represented by only limited numbers of collections. Three collection expeditions to this region [California (1994), Oregon and Washington (1994), and California (1995)] resulted in collection of over 140 accessions. Included in this group were over 25 species not previously contained in the USDA NPGS, including some seven species listed by the USDA as potentially threatened or endangered. These collections have greatly improved the diversity in the USDA NPGS collection. Presently, only about five species native to the Western U.S. are not represented in the USDA NPGS collection. Dr. Warren Williams, curator at Margote Forde Germplasm Center, Palmerston North, New Zealand, participated in the Oregon and Washington component of these collection expeditions and the entire material collected was duplicated in New Zealand.

B. Other CSPL genera

In most of the other CSPL genera, collections of the widespread and economically important species are sufficiently large so that extensive collecting is not warranted. Both the widespread and minor species should be collected in under-represented areas. Regional and global ecosystem and geographic information system data bases are excellent sources of information about these environments (Steiner and Greene, 1996).

A number of minor and endangered species are absent from the collections and should be acquired. Many endangered species are foreign and, therefore, are unlikely to be officially listed in the United States, but can be sought if judged to be endangered. The Center for Plant Conservation at the Missouri Botanical Garden coordinates ex situ conservation of endangered species and has additional information.

The tropical legume collection at Ft. Pierce, FL represents a major resource of these genera for the United States. This collection was developed primarily by the dedication of one faculty member, Dr. A. E. Kretschmer, Jr., and could be in jeopardy upon his retirement. Other major world collections of clovers and special purpose legumes exist at CSIRO, Australia; CIAT, Columbia; ILCA, Ethiopia; EMBRAPA, Brazil; and VIR, Russia. The larger collections of tropical legume genera are located at CSIRO, CIAT and EMBRAPA. Many cultivars of tropical legumes are direct releases of plant introductions with minimal selection for improvement; however, more bred cultivars are being released.

IV. Germplasm Needs

A. Collection

1. Trifolium species

Numbers of accessions of the two primary cultivated species (red and white clover) holdings are relatively large and core collection subsets have been designated. Core subsets have also been designated in rose, persian, berseem and subterranean clover, all of which are represented by more than 100 accessions. Crimson and arrowleaf clover are represented by limited numbers of accessions; however, recent collection expeditions and germplasm exchanges have added new accessions of these species.

As indicated in III. above, collection trips since the 1987 report have been completed to Eastern Europe and the Western U.S. to collect clovers. All these expeditions have focused on less common species represented by only a few accessions, rather than the cultivated species. At present, about 30 Trifolium species considered as valid by Zohary and Heller in The Genus Trifolium are still not represented in the NPGS. About 12 of the species listed by Zohary and Heller are of doubtful authenticity, being based on only one herbarium specimen, or needing further study. Areas of Europe and the Middle East where collections are still deficient and where uncollected species may be found include Albania, Italy, Greece, Sicily, France, Turkey, Armenia, Aserbaijan, Iran, and Iraq. Areas of Africa where uncollected species are known include Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tunisia, and Algeria. These areas are widely scattered, but an exploration trip to Albania probably would be beneficial.

Additional collection efforts also are needed in the Eastern and Western U.S. Of the seven clover species native to the Eastern U.S., three are represented by less than three accessions and one (T. polymorphum) is only represented by one accession from South America. Additionally, at least five clover species from the Western U.S. are not collected and several are represented by three or fewer accessions. These areas need additional collection efforts.

2. Lotus species

A joint 1994 expedition by the U.S. and Australia to Southern Europe and North Africa focused on both grasses and legumes, and resulted in collection of several accessions of Lotus species. A large number of accessions of the cultivated species Lotus corniculatus exist in the present U.S. collection. The genus consist of about 150 species acquisition of which would be of value.

The Asian members of the L. corniculatus group should be acquired, especially from China and Central Asia (Ball and Chrtkova-Zertova, 1968). The South American Lotus corniculatus and Lotus tennuis material, especially from humid regions of Argentina and Uruguay, are a potential source of resistance to fungal disease. Species in North and East Africa should be further collected as a source of adaptation to arid conditions.

The remainder of the genus is of interest for systematic studies and for landscaping. Novel diversity in the Canary Islands, Azores and other Atlantic islands should be acquired, in some cases by exchange with other collections. There is one endangered taxa in California. Many new world species are absent from the collection. A Western USA collection trip is planned for 1997 to obtain accessions of native Lotus species, including rare and endangered species, similar to the Trifolium efforts in 1994 and 1995.

3. Other temperate special purpose legumes

Astragalus

The NPGS should not attempt to acquire all the 2,000 species of this genus. Astragalus canadensis should be well collected for use as a forage. Additional accessions of the selenium accumulating species bifulcatus and ramosus should also be collected. Nine Astragalus taxa are on the endangered species list. Most of these are native to the Western United States and should be collected and added to the NPGS.

Coronilla

Coronilla varia should be collected in Africa, especially from south of the Sahara. The African material would have potential for adaptation in the southern United States. Europe should not be further collected. Because of (presumed) self-incompatibility, regeneration may be impossible if the parent population size is too small. Regeneration is difficult even if the original seed lot is adequate. The other Coronilla species should only be collected if the species are absent from the collection and the seed sample is excellent. These minor species are a low priority.

Dalea and Marina

Because of a new interest in using the annual Dalea leporina in crop rotations, the other 15 annuals (Barnaby, 1977) should also be acquired. Most of the annual species are native in the Southwest U.S. or Mexico. The one endangered species Dalea foliosa from the central United States should be acquired. The perennial species are difficult to regenerate and there is little demand so we should acquire them only if there is a good reason (species endangerment) and a large, healthy original seed lot.

Galega

Acquisition is a very low priority. If we did get more we would want very large collections of seeds because they are difficult to regenerate. Galega officinalis is a noxious weed in the U.S. and, therefore, is not wanted for the collection. Galega orientalis is susceptible to leaf hopper damage in the U.S. An unusually pubescent form might resist the leaf hoppers better than our glabrous material and, therefore, would be desirable. One or two accessions of the other four Galega species could be acquired; most are African.

Glycyrrhiza

Glycyrrhiza lepidota is under investigation as a ground cover for the Western United States. New collections should be from diverse areas and environments. It is widespread in U.S. and Canada.

Lathyrus

Approximately 41 wild Lathyrus species are absent from the collection and should be acquired. Of the absent species 17 are European, nine North American, seven Mid Eastern, four South American, two Asian, one African, and one unknown.

Melilotus

All the species as recognized by Stevenson (1969) are in the collection. Cultivars (if they exist) from Asia could be useful. We already have many cultivars from Russia. Material of following wild species are desirable for the collection, in this order:

(1) Melilotus suaveolens is native to southeast Russia and adjacent northern China and Mongolia. Ten to 20 well documented accessions would be of potential economic use. Germplasm from highly humid Pacific coastal areas near Vladivostok would be most desirable because it might have resistance to diseases that prevent growing this species in humid areas of the United States. The form with large (7 to 8 mm long) flowers (Suvorov, 1950) is not present in our collection. We already have ten accessions for the species, including two obsolete United States cultivars.

(2) Melilotus albus and Melilotus officinalis with the fine-stem, multiple-stem growth form. Also material from extremely dry environments.

(3) Melilotus infestus is native to the Western Mediterranean region. Five to 10 well documented collections would be desirable because this species is known to be a source of resistance to sweetclover weevil. We have six accessions, but they are poorly documented.

(4) Melilotus polonicus is native north of the Caspian Sea. We have three accessions. Five to 10 well documented collections would be desirable.

(5) Melilotus speciosus is native to North-East Africa. Five to ten well documented collections would be desirable. We have four poorly documented accessions.

Onobrychis

Does not need additional collecting.

Trigonella

Nine wild species are absent from the collection and should be acquired. Of the absent species, seven are Mid Eastern, and two are European.

Vicia

One of the species that has more economic potential in the USA is V. vilosa; however, the number of accessions available is small. It should be collected in Southern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean region. In addition, there are many Vicia species that are represented by only one or two accessions or are not represented at all. Most of those species are weedy and perhaps could be collected at the same time that a collection trip for other species is carried out in the region.

4. Other tropical legume genera

The CIAT Tropical Pastures' program and the Brazilian germplasm programs have had major collecting efforts focused on species with potential for growth on acid soils in the tropics. These programs have not focused on species at higher elevations which might have cold (winter) tolerance for sub-tropical areas of coastal South Eastern U.S. Likewise the Australian CSIRO tropical legume collection has not generally focused on species which are well adapted to the U.S. Additional efforts should be made to coordinate U.S. collections with the CIAT, Brazilian, and Australian collections.

Some forage type Arachis species have been collected as parts of U.S. expeditions focused primarily on the cultivated peanut species, A. hypogea. Thirty-five mostly nut producing Arachis accessions are presently being evaluated for seed production at the Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC), Ft. Pierce, FL.

Adequate genetic representation is available world wide of many of the tropical legume genera, although present U.S. holdings are limited in several genera. Major collections of Aeschynomene, Macroptilium and Desmodium spp. are presently stored at the IRREC, Ft. Pierce, FL. The genus most lacking in representative species is Aeschynomene from Africa. Only about 45 of the 160 species are represented in the world germplasm banks yet four species, A. americana and A. evenia (USA), A. falcata and A. brasilianum (Australia), have been successfully commercialized. Many of the African species are found at 1000-3000 m altitude and should have better cold tolerance than the tropical American species.

The Desmanthus collection in the NPGS is limited although CSIRO has an extensive collection. Recent research results with Desmanthus virgatus in south Texas suggest that an attempt should be made to acquire accessions from CSIRO. Desmanthus is native to the Americas with documented collections from as far north as central Texas. Additional collections are needed as it appears to be well adapted to semiarid regions.

B. Preservation

The CSPL CGC has recommended that seed of all these collections be stored at sub-freezing temperatures to prevent loss of viability. This recommendation has been completed at the curator collections at the University of Kentucky and the IRREC, Ft. Pierce, FL and at SRPIS, is underway at WRPIS, is still needed at NCRPIS. The University of Kentucky curator collection now consists of approximately 200 of the possible 230 valid species of the genus but is represented by only a few seeds of some species and only a few accessions of a number of species. This material is available only in small amounts and the requester must increase the seed supply for certain applications.

A major need for collections stored at the regional Plant Introduction Stations (Griffin, GA; Ames, IA; and Pullman, WA), is for isolated increase of accessions with declining germination. Previous storage at less than optimum conditions has resulted in a majority of the collections having poor germination or being of a quantity not adequate for distribution. For example, a recent report from SRPIS at Griffin, GA indicated that about 30% of the annual Trifolium species and other special purpose legume accessions were not available for distribution due to low seed numbers. Through contact with Dr. Walter Graves in California through the late 1980s and early 1990s, seed of many of the self pollinated annual clovers held at SRPIS was increased. Nevertheless, a large number of Trifolium spp. accessions from Africa and of cross-pollinated annual clovers are still in need of increase. Although additional curator staff have been added at the plant introduction stations since our 1987 report, funds for isolated seed increase are limited. Many of the perennial wild Trifolium spp. require specific growth conditions including cold temperature vernalization for adequate seed regeneration. All these species must be increased in isolation, usually in bee cages, to preserve genetic diversity.

In 1994, the perennial Trifolium and Lotus collection was transferred from Geneva, NY to Pullman, WA, with a goal of achieving improved regeneration conditions at the Prosser, WA site. However, at the time of this move, curator responsibilities were also combined with the alfalfa CGC and funding for regeneration which had been available to the CSPL CGC was transferred to the new Parlier, CA site. The CSPL CGC feels this action will result in continuation of the unavailability due to low seed number status of many accessions. The competition for funds between the Alfalfa CGC and the CSPL CGC will be detrimental for both of these commodities. Recent correspondence addressing this issue by the chairs of both CGCs has been sent to Dr. Shands.

The CSPL CGC has provided input regarding regeneration priorities over the past decade. The regeneration of the core collections of red and white clover is nearing completion; however, many more accessions of these species remain in need of regeneration. We have also recently completed increases of T. medium and T. ambiguum collections through cooperation with various USDA and SAES cooperators. A primary need at present is regeneration of the perennial wild species accessions collected in the Western U.S. in 1994 and 1995. The genera at Ames, IA were assigned low regeneration priority by the CGC because of few requests for that germplasm. Regeneration plantings will, therefore, be at intervals of two or three years.

In 1995, an inventory of seed supply in the curator collection at Kentucky was completed and those with adequate seed supply will be assigned PI numbers. All species are being documented by herbarium specimens and photographs for identification purposes. Herbarium specimens are about 83% complete and photographs about 89% complete. These curator activities at Kentucky are in cooperation with the Regional Stations at Experiment, GA and Pullman, WA. We recommend that this process be continued and, if adequate funding for the seed increase program is provided, the Trifolium collection in the United States, although still not adequate, will be in the best condition it has been for many years.

The tropical legume collection at the IRREC contains more than 7000 accessions including 110 genera representing 550 species. Pertinent passport data include genus and species name, all available site collection (ie., latitude, longitude and altitude for most), other countries' corresponding accession numbers, and pertinent comments. A computerized list of the total IRREC collection that have been evaluated is near completion. This work will include all available passport data and other countries' ID numbers. These data will be compiled numerically and alphabetically as soon as funds for temporary help are available. Largest collections of forage legumes include 771 Aeschynomene (49 species), 446 Centrosema (17), 786 Desmodium (47), 374 Leucaena (12), 612 Macroptilium (12), 538 Stylosanthes (19), 374 Vigna (42), and 104 Zornia (8). At the IRREC, seeds are stored in a -15 C walk-in freezer. Many are duplicates of those held by the SRPIS, CSIRO (Australia) and CIAT (Colombia). Seed supplies of many of these accessions are limited or in poor quality and there is a need to increase seed for storage distribution and exchange.

Since the 1970s, there have been various cooperative formal and informal agreements between the IRREC and the SRPIS. These agreements were terminated in 1995. Primarily tropical legumes species (mostly forage) were grown at the IRREC for seed increase and more than 1600 packets of seed have been returned for SRPIS storage. Also, many of the IRREC collections, particularly in Macroptilium atropurpureum, Aeschynomene americana, A. villosa, and Alysicarpus vaginalis, have been donated to the SRPIS and assigned numbers. This has increased the SRPIS holdings from a very few to an estimated 75% or more of the available world collection. There are still many non-PI accessions held in the IRREC germplasm bank that are not duplicated in the SRPIS bank. A concerted effort should be made to increase seed of these non-PI accessions so that samples can be assigned PI numbers and placed in the NPGS.

In situ preservation should be considered as an alternative for many of the CSPL species, especially those native to the U.S. Recent correspondence between the Trifolium curator and Ned Garvey has begun the process of identifying potential sites for perennial Western U.S. Trifolium species. One preserve already exists for T. thompsonii and numerous other collections in the Western U.S. were made on public owned lands.

C. Evaluation

Beginning in 1988, the CSPL CGC has allocated $45,000 annually for germplasm evaluation. This funding has generated the majority of currently available descriptor data to the GRIN system. A brief summary of the species and respective descriptions evaluated is presented in Table 4. These data have been generated by funding cooperators from state AES and USDA-ARS. The majority of projects funded by the CGC have focused on descriptors identified as priorities by the CGC. With the complex array of species for which the CSPL CGC has responsibility, many species still have few or no descriptors evaluated. Despite some earlier problems with input of this evaluation data into the NPGS, most of it is now accessible through GRIN.

Descriptors for 12 species have been developed and approved by the CSPL CGC since the 1987 report. Virtually no evaluation data is available through GRIN for the tropical legume species maintained by the USDA NPGS.

D. Enhancement

Enhancement in cross pollinated Trifolium spp. is usually required to bring pest resistance up to a useable level. Often the level of available pest resistance is as low as one-10% of a given introduction. Simple identification is not adequate for the trait to be of benefit. In other cases intermediate tolerance can be improved to full resistance through enhancement efforts. Two to four cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection are often adequate. For these Trifolium species, enhancement efforts should receive additional funding. Broad genetic base populations of Lotus tennuis and L. uliginosus are being developed from NPGS collection accessions to be used to develop adapted North American cultivars. At present all enhancements have been carried out by SAES and USDA cooperators and then released as germplasms which are preserved in the NPGS. In most cases enhancement should be adequate to bring the level of a trait up to a point that a line could be released as a germplasm source, but not necessarily as a released cultivar. A procedure for review and naming of genetic marker stocks in the clovers was jointly coordinated by the CSPL CGC and the Trifolium Conference and has been published since our 1987 report (Quesenberry, et al., 1991). Development of molecular markers assisted selection procedures could improve progress in selection for desirable traits.

V. Recommendations

A. Priority actions

1. Conduct seed increases of perennial clovers and other temperate and tropical legume accessions, with emphasis on recently collected accessions from Bulgaria and the Western U.S., including restoration of funding lost in 1995.

2. Systematic evaluation of all descriptors for core collections of Trifolium spp. and update GRIN data as seed of core subsets is increased.

3. Collection of perennial Trifolium spp. and other special use legumes from Europe, Africa, and from the Western and Eastern U.S.

4. Integrate the tropical legume collection at IRREC, Ft. Pierce, FL into the USDA NPGS including assignment of PI numbers.

5. Development and incorporation of descriptors for all special purpose legumes into GRIN.

6. Establish core collections of other CSPL species.

7. Establishment of in situ preservation sites for native U.S. CSPL species.

B. Budget Recommendations

General

1. Acquisition (collection)

1997 (Western U.S. Lotus) $ 9,000

1998 (Eastern U.S. Trifolium) $ 7,000

1998 (Western U.S.) $ 9,000

Future $ 8,000

2. Preservation (maintenance)

Germplasm restoration $ 90,000 (Total next 5 years)

Continued maintenance $ 20,000 (annual)

Record compilation and

integration $ 25,000 (onetime)

3. Evaluation $100,000 (annual)

4. Enhancement $100,000 (annual)

Details

1. A trip to California, Oregon and Washington focused on native Lotus species that may be rare or endangered. Most are not currently represented in the NPGS collection. Projected participants are P. Beuselinck, J. Kirkbride, J. Steiner, and W. Williams from New Zealand.

A trip or trips to be developed for collection of species native to the Eastern U.S, with focus on T. polymorphum, T. calcaricum, T. virginicum, T. reflexum, T. carolinianum, T. bajariense, and T. stoloniferum.

A trip to the Western U.S. focused on T. brandegi, T. monathum, T. mucronatum, and T. siskiyouense.

2. Restoration of availability of accessions in working collections. Five year projection:

Annuals 300/yr @ 30/acc. = $9,000/yr

Perennials 300/yr @ 300/acc.= $15,000/yr

Tropicals 100/yr @ 50/acc. = $5,000/yr

Total $29,000/yr

Five year total - - - - - - - $145,000

Compilation and integration of information on accessions in the system. This could be a onetime allocation or divided over several years to provide support for one or two persons to compile and integrate (including assigning PI numbers) current accessions in various collections. The funding to be used for travel, per diem and, if necessary, salaries for assistance. Estimated cost $25,000.

3. Evaluation:

Increase funding to $100,000 per year for at least eight more years to allow evaluation of descriptors on other special purpose legumes. Germplasm will be evaluated according to priorities established by CSPL CGC.

4. Enhancement:

Development of genetic markers (molecular, biochemical, physiological and morphological), stocks and genome mapping of the major species; development of techniques for evaluation of germplasm for quality, disease and insect resistance; combination of several types of resistance in a single population are enhancement priorities that can be carried out once monetary support is provided. We visualize that for selected traits several cycles of recurrent selection may be needed to improve the level of a desired trait such that it can be readily incorporated into elite cultivars.

IV. Reflections:

The Clover and Special Purpose Legume Crop Germplasm Committee is responsible for all the Trifolium spp. (230) and over 100 other temperate and tropical special purpose legume genera. The composition of the committee was designed to have a wide range of scientists and experts which would adequately represent the numerous genera and species involved. We have strived to achieve a balance of effort among species while giving priority to the most widely cultivated species.

The major concentration of the CGC has been the cultivated clovers with the highest economic value and birdsfoot trefoil. Having now completed regeneration of core collections in this group of species, we are prepared to evaluate all descriptors on these species. This effort should make the germplasm collection more useful for both public and private users.

We continue to recognize a need for regeneration of the existing collections of the clovers and other special purpose legumes. Progress has been made since our previous report, but the germplasm continues to be in need of seed regeneration. The CGC, in cooperation with the directors of the collections and the curator, has completed upgrades of storage conditions of CSPL at the various PI stations. Continued funding for seed increase is needed or many current accessions will be in such poor condition that it will be impossible to resurrect them.

The CGC prioritized several areas for collection of certain clovers and special purpose legumes in our 1987 report. Competent scientists were recruited to organize collection expeditions and assist in this acquisition. Most of these collection expeditions have been completed. Additional acquisition needs have been prioritized in this report and efforts will be made to recruit scientists to organize these efforts. Funding is needed to evaluate and increase recent and proposed collections.

Our committee has recognized that the large number of species in the collections which we oversee create management difficulties. The scope of committee membership has enabled us to remain current on contemporary germplasm management issues. We have developed core collections in species with large numbers of accessions to assist curators with maintenance and evaluation decisions. We have allocated evaluation monies to allow review and updating of passport records in the GRIN system for clovers and Lotus species. This information is now being entered into the GRIN system. We have reviewed the data for T. repens, and will need to conduct a similar type comprehensive review on a species by species basis to eliminate duplications in the collections.

Historically, private industry has devoted minimal to no fiscal resources to the maintenance and/or development of the clover and special purpose legume germplasm. Even with the vast area seeded to these species it is not foreseen that private industry will contribute significantly to future support for maintenance and/or the development of the CSPL germplasm. The species of concern have major, significant impact on the economy of the U.S. agriculture through direct production and use and indirectly through soil conservation effects. Therefore, if the species in question are to be maintained and improved, support will have to come from public agencies.

In times of decreasing fiscal resources at all levels, the need for sound planning and well thought out decisions is paramount. The CSPL-CGC desires to be involved in giving advise when hard decisions have to be made, realizing that some decisions may not follow our views. Nevertheless, involvement of the committee early in the decision process with allow the group to feel a sense of ownership and responsibility. Early involvement should ensure a continued strong and viable committee.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Ball, O.W. and Chrtkova-Zertova. 1968. Lotus L. p. 173-176 In T.G. Tutin (ed.) Flora Europaea. 2. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, England.

Barnaby, R.C. 1977. Daleae imagines. Mem NY Bot Gard. 27:1-891.

Gibson, P.B. and E.A. Hollowell. 1966. White clover. U.S. Dept. Agric. Handb. 314.

Smith, R.R., N.L. Taylor and S.R. Bowley. 1985. Red clover. In N.L. Taylor (ed.). Clover-Science and Technology. Agronomy 25:457-470.

Steiner, J.J. and S.L. Greene. 1996. Proposed ecological descriptors and their utility for plant germplasm collections. Crop Sci. 36:439-451.

Steiner, J.J., E. Piccioni and M. Falcinelli. 1996. Germplasm diversity among cultivars and the NPGS crimson clover collection. Crop Sci. 36:in review.

Stevenson, G.A. 1969. An agronomic and taxonomic review of the genus Melilotus Mill. Can. J. Plant Sci. 49:1-20

Suvorov, V.V. 1950. Sweetclover-Melilotus(Tourn,)Adans. Em. In Flora of the cultivated plants of the USSR. E.N. Sinskaya, (ed.) Vol. 13(1) pp. 426-627 Trans. from Russian as OTS 60-51198. U.S. Dep. Commerce, Washington D.C.

Taylor, N.L. 1985. Clovers around the world. In N.L. Taylor (ed.). Clover-Science and Technology. Agronomy 25:1-6.

Taylor, N.L., P.B. Gibson and W.E. Knight. 1977. Genetic vulnerability and germplasm resources of the true clovers. Crop Sci. 17:632-634.

Van Keuren, R.W. and C.S. Hoveland. 1985. Clover management and utilization. In N.L. Taylor (ed.). Clover-Science and Technology. Agronomy 25:325-254.

Table 1.Table 1. List of Trifolium species by storage site (GRIN).

Trifolium species Number of accessions at sites.

W 6 S­9 CLO CLO

increases

1 Trifolium abyssinicum 0 4 1 1
2 Trifolium affine 0 4 4 0
3 Trifolium africanum 14 0 6 3
4 Trifolium aintabense 0 3 3 1
5 Trifolium albopurpureum 0 4 6 1
6 Trifolium alexandrinum 0 127 16 2
7 Trifolium alpestre 50 0 26 6
8 Trifolium alpinum 3 0 3 0
9 Trifolium amabile 10 0 6 4
10 Trifolium ambiguum 125 0 90 4
11 Trifolium amoenum 0 0 1 1
12 Trifolium andersonii 0 0 2 0
13 Trifolium andinum 0 0 1 1
14 Trifolium angulatum 0 1 2 0
15 Trifolium angustifolium 0 36 18 6
16 Trifolium apertum 0 4 5 2
17 Trifolium argutum 0 11 8 4
18 Trifolium arvense 0 45 34 13
19 Trifolium attenuatum 0 0 1 0
20 Trifolium aureum 0 28 10 7
21 Trifolium baccarinii 0 35 4 3
22 Trifolium badium 5 0 2 4
23 Trifolium barbigerum 0 4 11 8
24 Trifolium batmanicum 0 9 6 7
25 Trifolium beckwithii 0 0 1 0
26 Trifolium bejariense 0 4 3 7
27 Trifolium berytheum 0 3 6 2
28 Trifolium bifidum 0 6 7 3
29 Trifolium bilineatum 0 36 1 0
30 Trifolium billardieri 0 1 1 2
31 Trifolium blancheanum 0 1 1 0
32 Trifolium bocconei 1 11 6 0
33 Trifolium boissieri 0 1 3 7
34 Trifolium bolanderi 2 0 2 0
35 Trifolium breweri 0 0 1 1
36 Trifolium buckwestorium 0 0 1 1
37 Trifolium bullatum 0 4 4 0
38 Trifolium burchellianum 46 0 7 0
39 Trifolium calcaricum 7 0 3 4
40 Trifolium campestre 0 73 30 19
41 Trifolium canescens 22 o 3 o
42 Trifolium carolinianum 0 8 9 8
43 Trifolium caucasicum 5 0 3 0
44 Trifolium caudatum 1 0 0 0
45 Trifolium cernum 0 7 5 7
46 Trifolium cheranganiense 1 0 4 1
47 Trifolium cherleri 0 56 8 14
48 Trifolium chilense 0 2 2 1
49 Trifolium ciliolatum 0 2 4 0
50 Trifolium clusii 0 10 5 4
51 Trifolium clypeatum 0 6 3 3
52 Trifolium constantinopolitanum 0 3 2 0
53 Trifolium cryptopodium 31 0 2 1
54 Trifolium cyathiferum 0 2 3 1
55 Trifolium dalmaticum 0 1 1 0
56 Trifolium dasyphyllum 1 0 3 0
57 Trifolium dasyurum 0 4 11 13
58 Trifolium decorum 0 34 1 0
59 Trifolium depauperatum 0 6 11 5
60 Trifolium dichotomum 0 2 2 0
61 Trifolium dichroanthum 0 2 2 0
62 Trifolium diffusum 0 35 9 26
63 Trifolium douglasii 3 0 1 0
64 Trifolium dubium 0 17 12 13
65 Trifolium echinatum 0 23 11 1
66 Trifolium eriocephalum 4 0 4 2
67 Trifolium eriosphaerum 0 1 4 2
68 Trifolium erubescens 0 0 1 0
69 Trifolium fragiferum 219 0 35 7
70 Trifolium fucatum 0 6 7 1
71 Trifolium gemellum 0 4 1 4
72 Trifolium glanduliferum 0 4 3 1
73 Trifolium globosum 0 8 6 2
74 Trifolium glomeratum 0 37 10 5
75 Trifolium gracilentum 0 4 5 1
76 Trifolium grandiflorum 0 8 6 4
77 Trifolium gymnocarpon 0 0 3 0
78 Trifolium haussknechtii 0 3 1 1
79 Trifolium haydendii 1 0 2 0
80 Trifolium heldreichianum 14 0 4 3
81 Trifolium hirtum 0 75 15 37
82 Trifolium howellki 2 0 1 1
83 Trifolium hybridum 205 0 29 2
84 Trifolium incarnatum 0 43 11 10
85 Trifolium israeliticum 0 0 3 3
86 Trifolium isthmocarpum 0 21 5 1
87 Trifolium kingii ssp. productum 1 0 2 1
88 Trifolium lanceolatum 0 1 1 1
89 Trifolium lappaceum 0 43 19 9
90 Trifolium latifolium 2 0 1 0
91 Trifolium latinum 0 0 1 1
92 Trifolium leibergii 1 0 2 0
93 Trifolium lemmonii 0 0 1 0
94 Trifolium leucanthum 0 7 9 2
95 Trifolium ligusticum 0 7 3 3
96 Trifolium lineare 0 0 5 3
97 Trifolium longidentatum 2 0 4 0
98 Trifolium longipes 6 0 2 0
99 Trifolium lucanicum 0 9 2 0
100 Trifolium lugardii 0 0 3 4
101 Trifolium lupinaster 18 0 3 2
102 Trifolium macraei 0 1 2 0
103 Trifolium macrocephalum 3 0 5 0
104 Trifolium masaiense 0 0 3 0
105 Trifolium mattirolianum 0 20 2 1
106 Trifolium medium 37 0 75 5
107 Trifolium meduseum 0 1 2 4
108 Trifolium michelianum 0 16 10 9
109 Trifolium micranthum 0 7 1 2
110 Trifolium microcephalum 0 7 11 2
111 Trifolium microdon 0 3 3 0
112 Trifolium miegeanum 0 2 3 1
113 Trifolium montanum 50 0 24 7
114 Trifolium multinerve 0 2 1 0
115 Trifolium mutabile 0 4 3 1
116 Trifolium nanum 2 0 2 0
117 Trifolium nigrescens 0 44 11 6
118 Trifolium noricum 2 0 2 0
119 Trifolium obscurum 0 4 3 4
120 Trifolium obtusiflorum 0 0 1 1
121 Trifolium occidentale 1 0 3 0
122 Trifolium ochroleucum 27 0 24 4
123 Trifolium oliganthum 0 0 1 0
124 Trifolium ornithopodioides 2 0 2 1
125 Trifolium owyheense 1 0 1 0
126 Trifolium palaestinum 0 7 4 5
127 Trifolium pallescens 3 0 3 1
128 Trifolium pallidum 0 36 28 0
129 Trifolium pannonicum 31 0 14 3
130 Trifolium parryi 3 0 4 0
131 Trifolium patens 0 4 2 7
132 Trifolium patulum 6 0 3 5
133 Trifolium pauciflorium 0 0 2 7
134 Trifolium philistaeum 0 0 1 1
135 Trifolium phleoides 0 7 5 5
136 Trifolium physodes 15 0 10 7
137 Trifolium pichisermollii 0 3 1 1
138 Trifolium pignantii 0 0 1 2
139 Trifolium pilulare 0 7 4 3
140 Trifolium pinetorum 1 0 1 3
141 Trifolium plebeium 0 1 1 0
142 Trifolium plumosum 6 0 1 0
143 Trifolium polymorphum 7 0 2 1
144 Trifolium polyodon 0 0 1 1
145 Trifolium polystachyum 11 0 2 0
146 Trifolium pratense 1252 0 35 0
147 Trifolium pseudostriatum 0 0 3 1
148 Trifolium purpureum 0 24 6 4
149 Trifolium purseglovei 0 0 3 0
150 Trifolium quartinianum 0 22 2 0
151 Trifolium reflexum 0 11 13 10
152 Trifolium repens 744 0 36 2
153 Trifolium resupinatum 0 221 21 4
154 Trifolium retusum 0 13 6 3
155 Trifolium riograndense 2 0 2 0
156 Trifolium rubens 23 0 12 10
157 Trifolium rueppellianum 0 66 6 1
158 Trifolium rusbyi 0 0 2 0
159 Trifolium salmoneum 0 1 1 0
160 Trifolium sarosiense 0 0 1 3
161 Trifolium scarbrum 0 25 19 7
162 Trifolium schimperi 0 21 3 0
163 Trifolium scutatum 0 3 6 0
164 Trifolium semipilosum 86 0 10 1
165 Trifolium setiferum 0 5 1 0
166 Trifolium simense 26 0 1 0
167 Trifolium somalense 0 0 1 0
168 Trifolium spadiceum 0 15 4 0
169 Trifolium spumosum 0 16 5 7
170 Trifolium squamosum 0 11 9 7
171 Trifolium squarrosum 0 16 4 0
172 Trifolium stellatum 0 15 13 12
173 Trifolium steudneri 0 65 2 2
174 Trifolium stoloniferum 27 0 16 2
175 Trifolium striatum 0 23 14 8
176 Trifolium strictum 0 8 7 5
177 Trifolium subterraneum 0 319 6 4
178 Trifolium suffocatum 0 6 6 5
179 Trifolium sylvaticum 0 10 7 11
180 Trifolium tembense 0 134 12 2
181 Trifolium thalii 4 0 3 6
182 Trifolium thompsonii 0 0 1 0
183 Trifolium tomentosum 0 19 12 16
184 Trifolium triaristatum 0 0 5 9
185 Trifolium trichocalyx 0 0 1 1
186 Trifolium trichocephalum 5 0 2 0
187 Trifolium trichopterum 2 0 4 3
188 Trifolium tridentatum 0 6 7 0
189 Trifolium tumens 2 0 4 2
190 Trifolium uniflorum 3 0 4 1
191 Trifolium usambarense 2 0 4 1
192 Trifolium variegatum 0 7 8 1
193 Trifolium vavilovii 0 2 3 1
194 Trifolium velbiticum 0 0 4 6
195 Trifolium velenovskyi 0 0 1 0
196 Trifolium vernum 0 3 1 1
197 Trifolium vesiculosum 0 20 9 1
198 Trifolium virginicum 5 0 5 0
199 Trifolium wentzelianum 0 0 1 0
200 Trifolium wettsteinii 0 0 2 0
201 Trifolium wormskioldii 17 0 7 0


Total species 61 108 200

Total accessions/increases 3210 2239 1342 589

Table 2. Clover and Special Purpose Legume CGC Taxa other than Trifolium.

Genus No.Ac. Site Curator Other expert

Acacia14 at six sites
Adenocarpus1W6 Bradley
Adesmia3S9 Morris
Aeschynomene231S9 MorrisKretschmer
Alhagi1W6 Bradley
Alysicarpus62S9 MorrisQuesenberry
Amphicarpaea1S9 Morris
Amorpha29W6 Bradley
Anthyllis72W6 Bradley
Arachis glabrata99S9 PittmanSimpson
Argyrolobium9S9 Morris
Astracantha16W6 Bradley
Astragalus634W6 BradleyBoe
Baphia1S9 Morris
Biserrula12S9 Morris
Bituminaria13S9 Morris
Calicotome1W6 Bradley
Calliandra4

1

MAY S9 Morris
Calopogonium12S9 Morris
Canavalia30S9 MorrisLukefahr
Centrosema73S9 MorrisKretschmer
Chamaecrista62S9 Morris
Chamaecytisus1

1

W6

S9

Bradley

Morris

Clitoria27S9 Morris
Codariocalyx2S9 Morris
Colutea3W6 Bradley
Coronilla131NC7 Brenner
Crotalaria226S9 MorrisCook
Cyamopsis1303S9 Morris
Cytisus5S9 Morris
Dalea30NC7 BrennerBoe
Dendrolobium2S9 Morris
Desmanthus93S9 MorrisOcumpaugh
Desmodium253S9 MorrisBoe
Dorycnium12S9 Morris
Ebenus6W6 Bradley
Eriosema7S9 Morris
Galactia12S9 Morris
Galega19NC7 Brenner
Genista11W6 Bradley
Glycyrrhiza16W6 BradleyBoe
Gueldenstaedtia1W6 Bradley
Halimodendron1W6 Bradley
Hedysarum109W6 Bradley
Hippocrepis10W6 Bradley
Hymenocarpos2W6 Bradley
Indigofera118S9 MorrisQuesenberry
Kummerowia55S9 Morris
Lablab108S9 MorrisKretschmer
Lathyrus625W6 Simon
Lessertia3S9 Morris
Leucaena539S9 MorrisBrewbaker
Lespedeza150S9 MorrisMosjidis
Lotononis22S9 MorrisKretschmer
Lotus777W6 GreenBeuselinck
Lysiloma2S9 Morris
Macroptilium206S9 MorrisKretschmer
Macrotyloma47S9 MorrisKretschmer
Marina2NC7 Brenner
Melilotus898NC7 BrennerGorz
Mimosa5S9 Morris
Mucuna44S9 Morris
Neonotonia169S9 MorrisKretschmer
Neptuna1S9 Morris
Onobrychis575W6 Bradley
Ononis14W6 Bradley
Ophrestia1S9 Morris
Ornithopus54S9 Morris
Oxytropis25W6 Bradley
Pachyrhizus13S9 Morris
Pediomelum1S9 Morris
Prosopis2W6 Bradley
Pseudovigna1S9 Morris
Psophocarpus183S9 Morris
Psoralidium6W6 Bradley
Psoralea8S9 Morris
Pueraria20S9 MorrisKretschmer
Retama1W6 Bradley
Rhynchosia31S9 Morris
Schleinitzia1S9 Morris
Senna48S9 Morris
Sesbania43S9 Morris
Scorpiurus80W6 Bradley
Sophora7W6 Bradley
Spartidium1W6 Bradley
Sphaerophysa3W6 Bradley
Sphenostylis14S9 Morris
Strophostyles4

4

W6

S9


Morris
Stylosanthes112S9 MorrisKretschmer
Sutherlandia1S9 Morris
Tephrosia89S9 Morris
Teramnus33S9 Morris
Tetragonolobus41W6 Bradley
Trigonella 245W6 Simon
Vicia1902W6 SimonMosjidis
Zornia24S9 MorrisKretschmer

Table 3Table 3. Approximate Numbers of the Largest Collection of Tropical Forage Legume Species Maintained at Germplasm Bank at the IRREC, Ft. Pierce, FL.

Genus Species Total

Aeschynomene

americana

villosa

49
771

312

67
Alysicarpus
7
82
Arachis
11
149
Calopogonium
3
67
Centrosema
17
446
Desmanthus
8
167
Desmodium

heterocarpon

47
786

111
Leucaena

leucocephla

12
374

265
Lotononis
22
86
Macroptilium

atropurpureum

12
612

413
Macrotyloma
7
82
Neonotonia
1
114
Phaseolus
11
74
Rhynchosia
12
79
Stylosanthes

guianensis

hamata

humulis

19
538

236

36

87
Teramnus

uncinatus

7
142

89
Vigna

adenantha

luteola

vexillata

42
374

32

36

60
Zornia

latifolia

8
104

27

Table 4. Descriptors evaluated on Clover and Special Purpose Legume (CSPL) germplasm since

1988 as authorized by the CSPL Crop Germplasm Committee. (June, 1996).

Genus/species Descriptor No. acc. evaluated

Astragalus cicer Chemical (Isoflavonoids) 42

Lespedeza spp. Chemical (tannin) 79

Lotus

L. ann. spp. Cytology/fertility 51

L. spp. Identification Morocco collection 72

" " Molecular (RFLP's and RAPDS) 50

L. corniculatus Chemical (tannin) 400

" " Disease (Rhizoctonia) 65

" " Cytology 400

" " Molecular (RFLP's and RAPDS) 128

" " Chemical (chitinase) 100

L. tenuis Molecular (RFLP's and RAPDS) 30

L. uliginosis Molecular (RFLP's and RAPDS) 80

Macroptilium spp. Disease (Uromyces appendiculatus) 100

Trifolium

T. alexandrinum Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus 100

" " Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 50

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 50

" " " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 50

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 50

T. ambiguum Cytology 98

" " Agronomic (five characters) 80

T. fragiferum Agronomic (salinity) 96

T. hirtum Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Genistein) 34

" " Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Formononetin) 34

" " Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Biocanin A) 34

" " Agronomic (maturity and seed set) 50

" " Agronomic (pH tolerance) 50

" " Agronomic (waterlogged soils) 60

" " Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 35

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 35

" " " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 35

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 35

T. incarnatum Agronomic (Fe chlorosis) 30

" " Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 25

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 25

Table 4. Descriptors evaluated on Clover and Special Purpose Legume (CSPL) germplasm since

1988 as authorized by the CSPL Crop Germplasm Committee. (June, 1996) con't.

Genus/species Descriptor No. acc. evaluated

T. incarnatum cont. " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 25

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 25

" " Molecular (RFLP's and RAPDS) 35

T. medium Cytology 88

" " Agronomic (five characters) 88

T. repens Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 230

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 230

" " " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 230

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 230

" " Agronomic (nine characters) 130

" " Disease (Clyindrocladium crotolariae) 200

" " Chemical (cyanogenesis ) 500

" " Nematode (M. graminicola) 550

T. pratense Disease(Aphanomyces euteiches) 400

" " Disease (Stemphlium sarciniforme) 400

" " Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 400

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 400

" " " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 400

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 400

" " Chemical (Protein degradation ) 100

" " Disease (Clyindrocladium crotolariae) 200

T. resupinatum Nematode (Meloidogyne arenaria race 1) 40

" " " (Meloidogyne hapla) 40

" " " (Meloidogyne incognita race 3) 40

" " " (Meloidogyne javonica) 40

T. subterraneum Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Genistein) 225

" " Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Formononetin) 225

" " Chemical (Isoflavin ­ Biocanin A) 225

" " Fe Chlorosis 100

" " Agronomic (hardseediness) 50

" " Disease (Clover Yellow Vein Virus) 250

T. spp. Ident. of Yugolavian col. 90

" " Regeneration 15

" " Ident. of Bulgarian col. 226

" " Ident. of Georgian col. 38

" " Biochem. character. of West Trif. 138

" " Identification of Western US Trif. 138

Vicia

V. vilosa Agronomic (winter hardiness) 58

V. sativa Chemical (cyanogenesis) 215