Effects of season, altitude and daylength on floral initiation of two contrasting genotypes of Trifolium repens L.

Abstract

SUMMARYThe effects of season and altitude on floral initiation of two Trifolium repena L. cultivars, Haifa and California Ladino, were tested in the area of Ayacucho, Peru (2730 m, 13° S), with regard to their seed production potential. Specific effects of daylength at a constant temperature (20 °C) were examined in growth chambers.In Ayacucho, the proportion of inflorescence-bearing nodes was found to be lowest between December and June (Haifa 10–20%, Ladino 0–10%) and highest in August (Haifa 30%) and September–October (Ladino 15%). Late in the cool season, floral initiation of Ladino, but not that of Haifa, increased strongly at a high altitude (3250 m). In growth chambers, Haifa initiated few inflorescences and Ladino none in a 10 h daylength. In 16 h, the floral initiation of Haifa was very limited but Ladino formed many inflorescences. Floral initiation of Haifa was most pronounced and lasted longest after a daylength shift from 10 to 13 h.It is concluded that seasonal and altitudinal variations in low temperature were the main factors influencing floral initiation in the region of Ayacucho. Haifa is considered to be an intermediate-day plant, suited for seed production in the region because of its marked and early flowering. Ladino was classified as a quantitative longday plant, unsuitable for seed production at this low latitude because of its retarded floral response to low temperature.