Premium
Alfalfa Seed Size as an Indicator of Hybridity 1
Author(s) -
Pedersen M. W.,
Barnes D. K.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1973.0011183x001300010022x
Subject(s) - biology , inbreeding depression , pollen , hybrid seed , seedling , heterosis , germination , hybrid , cultivar , agronomy , emasculation , forage , horticulture , pollination , botany , inbreeding , population , demography , sociology
The size of hybrid and selfed alfalfa ( Medicago saliva L .) seed were studied with a view to utilizing size differences in breeding procedures. Pollen parents and seed parents both had a measurable effect on alfalfa seed size. On the average, selfed seeds on a given seed parent were about 10% smaller than F 1 hybrid seed. Some pollen parents produced larger hybrid seeds than other pollen parents. Maternal parent ✕ pollen parent interactions also influenced seed size. The reduction in selfed‐seed size was attributed to inbreeding depression. The hybrid‐seed size response was considered to be an expression of heterosis. Seed size was used as a basis to separate hybrid seeds by sieving open‐pollinated seed of white‐flowered alfalfa grown in plots adjacent to colored‐flowered alfalfa. A seedling hypocotyl‐color test was used to identify hybrid seedlings. Seed size and percent crossing were closely correlated in a positive manner. Applications of these results that deserve further study include: (i) the relationship between combining ability for seed size and combining ability for forage yield; (ii) sieving to improve quality of seed stocks; and (iii) increasing the proportion of hybrid seed in hybrid seed cultivars.