BN—29495, BN—29496 
Differences in maturity among red clover varieties can 
be controlled, in part, by their reaction to day length 
(photoperiodism). Varietal characteristics can be identi- 
fied by subjecting plants to various environments in 
growth chambers. Top, three varieties of red clover 
remained yegetative when grown for 5 weeks at 30° C. 
under 12-hour days; bottom, the same varieties responded 
differently when grown in the same way under 16-hour 
days. One produced numerous flowers; another, elon- 
gated stems; and the third, no change. 
We need to know more about the— 
@ Effect of plant maturity, environment, and man- 
agement on the chemical composition of forage 
varieties. 
® Changes in composition induced by diseases and 
insects. 
® Identification and study of alkaloids and other 
toxic substances. 
@ Use of isogenic lines and populations in evaluat- 
ing quality. 
® Selection for improved palatability, leafiness, and 
improved energy content in forages. 
® Inheritance of specified plant constituents. 
® Isolation of lines with either high or low levels of 
specific constituents. 
BN—29497, BN—29503 
Indiangrass seed: Top, unprocessed; bottom, processed. 
Indiangrass is representative of chaffy-seeded grasses that 
are difficult to process and to evaluate for germination. 
Additional problems are encountered in harvesting, clean- 
ing, storage, and seeding. 
Research on Seed Production 
In the United States, seed production has become 
a highly competitive, -specialized industry in regions 
where the environment is favorable for high yields of 
good-quality seed. Although this development has in- 
creased efficiency within the seed industry, it has also 
created serious problems. 
Grass and legume seed is harvested annually on 
more than 300,000 farms—most of it thousands of miles 
from where it is used. New varieties developed for 
forage in seed-consuming areas may produce low seed 
yields. Also, when seed is multiplied in a different 
environment, type and forage characteristics may 
change significantly. And disease and insect prob- 
lems usually differ in seed-consuming and seed-produc- 
ing areas. 
19 
