Morphological and molecular characterization of button medic (medicago orbicularis l.) collected from Antalya natural flora

This study was carried out to determine morphological and molecular characterization of annual button medic (Medicago orbicularis L.), especially very important for the pasture areas, collected from Antalya natural flora. As a result of the collection studies, 45 Medicago orbicularis L. genotypes were determined. GPS coordinates of the points where genotypes were collected determined and some agricultural properties were investigated in their both natural habitats and cultural conditions. Also, morphological and molecular characterization of genotypes were determined. Medicago orbicularis L. genotypes were tested for 2 years in field experiments. Trials were carried out according to randomized complite block design with two repplications, at field crops department of West Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute. Three seeds were used for sown and then thinned to one plant. Plots consisted of 20 plants, row spacing was 1 m and on row distance was 0.5 m. With the study, yield potential of the Medicago orbicularis L genotypes identified and genetic relationships was determined. As a result of the obtained data, it was identified that Medicago orbicularis L. was existed between 6-1223 m in Antalya natural flora. It was determined that all genotypes growth shape were slant, flower colour were yellow. It was observed that leaflet width of genotypes was varied between 2.5-11.0 mm, leaflet height was varied between 4.0-16.5 mm, hairiness values of leaf and pod was varied between 1-3, plant height was varied between 18.0-72.0 cm, number of fruit per plant was varied between 2.5-46.0. Two-year results of the field trials showed that, growth shape and flower colour were slant and yellow similar to natural flora. It was also determined that crimp direction of fruit was counterclockwise, leaflet shape was orbicular, fruit shape was lentiform in all genotypes. Genotypes did not show regeneration feature. It was determined that leaflet width was varied between 8.3-14.1 mm, leaflet height was varied between 10.6-15.4 mm, plant height was varied between 35.1-73.2 cm, number of fruit per plant was varied between 117.5-767, intemode length was varied between 3.6-6.9 cm, the number of 50% flowering day was varied between 139.5-161, the number of full flowering day was varied between 147.5-169.5, final flowering date was varied between 184-215.5, the number of days from sowing to the last occurrence of ripe fruit was varied between 198-222.5, plant life was varied between 210.5-239.5 days, 1000 grain weight was varied between 1.70-3.60 g, the fruit crimp number was varied between 3.2-4.3, the number of grains per fruit were varied between 12.0-17.9 fruit weight was varied between 0.107-0.256 g, fruit peel thickness was varied between 2-3,6 mm, herbage yield was varied between 134.1-655.0 g/plant, dried herba yield was varied between 37.6- 173.3 g/plant, the cutting yield was varied between 57.1-355.7 g/plant, seed yield was varied between 5.8-20.8 g/plant, hairiness of leaf and pod was varied between 1-2. When molecular data observed, it was determined that Medicago orbicularis L genotypes formed several main and sub-groups. Field trials, natural flora informations and molecular markers data showed that Medicago orbicularis L genotypes have wide variation. KEYWORDS: Annual medic, Antalya natural flora, morphological characterization, molecular characterization