Introduction, Collection and Characterization of Lotus spp. Germplasm in Chile

The information related with results of a project on germplasm characterization of three Lotus species, important as forage plants, curried out in five environments of the central-southern zone of Chile, was reviewed. An evaluation was made of 12 L. corniculatus cultivars introduced from different parts of the world, as well as germplasm naturalized in Chile, being 11 accessions of L. tenuis and 21 accessions ofL. uliginosus collected from 33°S to 38°S and 38°S to 45°S, respectively. Phenological, morphological, and agronomical characters were evaluated. Nitrogen fixation in field conditions and concentrations of condensed tannins in herbage were also included. It is concluded that there are cultivars of high value in L. corniculatus introduced germplasm which can be recommended for different environments of the central zone of Chile, as well as for local species breeding programmes. Information obtained from L. tenuis and L. uliginosus accessions shows genetic variability within both species. L. tenuis germplasm is adapted to clay, medium-textured, or sandy soils with water restrictions and phosphorous deficiency. Therefore, characterized accessions could be used to breed cultivars for low input production systems in constrained environments. L. uliginosus accessions include genotypes collected in sites with acid soils and variable tannin content in plant tissues that may be promissory genetic materials for breeding programmes with the objective of producing cultivars for animal production systems for the wet and acid soils in the southern zone of the country.