Genetic Variability and Trait Correlations in Lotus corniculatus L. as a Basis for Sustainable Forage Breeding

Cristian Bostan, Nicolae Marinel Horablaga, Marius Boldea, Emilian Onișan, Christianna Istrate-Schiller, Dorin Rechitean, Luminita Cojocariu, Alina Laura Agapie, Adina Horablaga, Ioan Sarac, Sorina Popescu, Petru Rain () and Ionel Samfira ()
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Cristian Bostan: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Nicolae Marinel Horablaga: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Marius Boldea: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300641 Timisoara, Romania
Emilian Onișan: Faculty of Engineering and Applied Technologies, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Christianna Istrate-Schiller: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Dorin Rechitean: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Luminita Cojocariu: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Alina Laura Agapie: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Adina Horablaga: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Ioan Sarac: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Sorina Popescu: Faculty of Agriculture, University of Life Sciences “King Mihai I”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
Petru Rain: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania
Ionel Samfira: Agricultural Research and Development Station Lovrin, 307250 Lovrin, Romania

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-22

Abstract: Lotus corniculatus L. is a valuable fodder legume, recognized for its ecological adaptability and high potential for production and fodder quality. In this study, 18 genotypes collected from wild flora were analyzed to highlight genetic variability and facilitate the selection of genotypes with superior potential. The collection area was in the western part of Romania and featured a diverse topography, including parts of the Banat Plain, the Banat Hills, and the Southern and Western Carpathians. The genotypes selected from the wild flora were cultivated and evaluated for morpho-productive and forage quality traits, including pod weight, average number of seeds/pods, green mass production, and protein percentage. PCA highlighted the main components explaining the variability, and K-means clustering allowed for the identification of groups of genotypes with similar performances. ANOVA showed statistically significant differences ( p < 0.001) for all traits analyzed. According to the results, genotypes LV-LC-3, LV-LC-4, LV-LC-6, and LV-LC-16 showed high productive potential and were highlighted as the most valuable for advancing in the breeding program. The moderate relationships between traits confirm the importance of integrated selection. The identified genetic variability and selected genotypes support the implementation of effective breeding strategies to obtain high-performance Lotus corniculatus L., adapted to local soil and climate conditions and with a superior forage yield.

Keywords: Lotus corniculatus L.; green biomass production; forage protein; productive potential; plant breeding (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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