Breeding and Selecting of New Improved Cultivars of Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachucalucinum

A national programme for the improvement of Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalycinum has been instigated by the National Subterranean Clover Improvement Programme (NSCIP), Australia. At present there are only 2 commercial cultivars,·Ctare and Rosedale. The overall aim of the programme is to develop and release well-adapted early- to mid-season cultivars of ssp. brachycalycinum which are persistent in farming systems and resistant to pests and diseases. Bight crosses were made in 1988. The parents used for the crosses were selected for their earliness, general good performance and strong vigour. Preliminary characterisation of breeding lines in 1991 has shown that early flowering, strong winter vigour and\u27good spring production have been incorporated in many lines. Eleven subsequent crosses were made in 1989. In addition, comparisons of F2-bulk, F2-progeny and pedigree selection methods will be examined