Variation of vegetative characters in populations of Adesmia bicolor (Fabaceae) from different origins in the central region of Argentina

Abstract

In the central arid-semiarid region of Argentina, the incorporation of native legumes as crops has been considered, mainly those of autumn-winter growth due to their forage potential and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Among these species, Adesmia bicolor stands out a perennial herbaceous, creeping, stoloniferous plant with indefinite and predominantly winter growth that thrives both in fertile and impoverished soils. To further evaluate its potential as a forage crop, the variation of four vegetative morphological characters was studied in 10 populations originating from the provinces of Córdoba, Entre Ríos, and San Luis. The samples were cultivated under field and pot conditions. The experimental design consisted of random blocks with three replications, using a field plot of 63 m² divided into subplots of 4 m². For the pot growth condition, 52 L containers were placed in an open culture cage, with a single population transplanted into each. The quantified characters were: number of stolons m^-2, internode length in stolons (cm), and leaflet length and width (cm). When comparing each variable throughout a one-year crop cycle, both pot and field, the highest values of aerial biomass components were recorded in spring under both treatments, suggesting the inference of a higher growth pattern during the winter-spring period. Conversely, the plants grown in pots presented more favorable conditions for intermode length, while those grown in the field favored the development of a higher number of stolons. This study demonstrated the influence of growing conditions on traits associated with growth habit. Likewise, among the studied populations, one exhibited advantages across all its attributes throughout the entire crop cycle; therefore it is necessary to evaluate each variable at each phenological stage and under each crop condition.