RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MORPHOLOGY AND QUALITY IN TIMOTHY (PHLEUM-PRATENSE L)

Selection of high feed quality timothy (Phleum pratense L.) would be facilitated by the identification of morphological traits associated with quality. The objectives of this study were: (1) to evaluate the presence of genetic variability for morphological traits; (2) to evaluate the relationship between morphological and quality traits; and (3) to measure the association between whole plant and stem and leaf quality. The phenotypic correlations obtained between morphological traits and quality appeared unstable from year to year for most associations. However, canonical analysis has indicated the possibility to select genotypes with high feed value based on yield, stem number, tillering area and height. Timothy genotype quality appeared to be limited mainly by stem quality. Some morphological traits appeared valuable to be used in an independent culling level selection scheme.