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Cross‐Fertilization of Alfalfa as Affected by Genetic Markers, Planting Methods, Locations, and Pollinator Species 1
Author(s) -
Kehr W. R.
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/cropsci1973.0011183x001300030002x
Subject(s) - biology , sowing , pollinator , population , pollination , agronomy , human fertilization , medicago sativa , hybrid , botany , pollen , demography , sociology
Studies were made to determine the extent of crossfertilization of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., involving genetic markers, planting methods, locations, field cages and isolations, pollinator species, and their interactions. Crossing between alfalfa populations by honeybees, as measured in white‐ and yellow‐flowered populations, varied from 32 to 96%. The average crossing in noninbred populations was about 50%. Crossing percentages were similar for alternate row and alternate plant methods of planting in Idaho and Nebraska and for a yellow‐flowered population in California. However, crossing percentages were significantly higher with the alternate plant method than with the alternate row method of planting for a white‐flowered population in both caged and uncaged areas in California and for another white‐flowered population in California cages. Crossing percentages were similar in caged and uncaged isolations in Nebraska. Honeybee pollination in California and leafcutter bee pollination in Idaho resulted in 50.5 and 51.0% cross‐fertilization, respectively, averaged over kinds of field isolation, planting methods, and markers used at both locations.