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Variation in the Response of Alfalfa Clones and Cultivars to Mycorrhizae and Phosphorus¹

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.) clones for phosphorus efficiency and to assess the interactions of mycorrhizal inoculation and plant genotype as they affect shoot weight and element concentrations. Six clones from each of six cultivars were grown in partially sterilized, low-P soil treated with either 0, 30, or 80 ppm P, O P and mycorrhizal inoculum, or 80 ppm P and mycorrhizal inoculum. In the O P treatments, plant growth without mycorrhizae was significantly less than growth of mycorrhizal (MR) plants, while at 80 ppm P growth of nonmycorrhizal (NMR) plants was greater than growth of the corresponding MR plants for most clones but less hi some. Cultivar x MR and clones in cultivar x MR interactions for plant growth were significant. Maximizing P deficiency to select P-efficient clones was unsuccessful as dry weights of nonmycorrhizal, low-P plants were not correlated with dry weights of any other treatments, and only the two mycorrhizal treatments were highly correlated. At the 80 ppm level of P, mycorrhizae increased P, Cu, Zn, and Fe, decreased Mg and Ca, and did not affect Mn and K concentrations. Cultivar x MR interactions were significant for Cu and Zn concentrations and clones in cultivars x MR interactions were significant for all elements. These results indicate that screening of alfalfa lines for P efficiency or for content of P, Cu, and Zn should be conducted under natural (mycorrhizal) conditions.

Key Words: Alfalfa breeding • Clonal P efficiency • Cu • Forage quality • Genetic variability • Nutrient interactions • Zn • Medicago saliva L.

² Research scientist, Laboratory for Environmental Studies, Ohio Agric. Res. and Dev. Ctr., Wooster, OH 44691, professor of plant pathology and professor of agronomy, respectively, The Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA 16802.

Received for publication September 27, 1979.