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Environmental and Genetic Influences on Alfalfa Nectar 1
Author(s) -
Teuber L. R.,
Barnes D. K.
Publication year - 1979
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/cropsci1979.0011183x001900060031x
Subject(s) - raceme , nectar , biology , agronomy , botany , horticulture , pollen , inflorescence
Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) is a major source of nectar for honey production in the USA, but no attempts have been made to improve its nectar production potential. The objectives of this research were to provide basic information on several environmental and genetic factors to establish recommended sampling and selection procedures for a nectar breeding program. Two high, two intermediate, and two low nectar‐producing clones from each of two unrelated sources (‘Vernal’ and ‘Team’) were used to study the effect of soil moisture, raceme age, and raceme position on nectar volume and percentage solids. Twenty‐eight clones from Vernal were used to compare measurements of nectar volume and percentage solids on plants grown in the field and greenhouse. Inheritance studies of nectar volume were conducted on diallel crosses made among six parents in each of two populations. Design II crosses were made between populations. Pxogenies from all crosses were grown in the greenhouse. Soil moisture did not significantly affect either nectar volume or percentage solids in the nectar. Raceme age significantly affected nectar volume but not percentage solids in the nectar. Racemes with newly opened terminal florets had less nectar than either intermediate age racemes or older racemes on which some basal florets were beginning to wilt. Raceme position on the stem did not affect either nectar volume or percentage solids in the nectar. The correlation between field and the average of three greenhouse measurements of nectar volume was significant (r = 0.49, 26 dr). Nectar volume plants selected based on two greenhouse sampling dates (May‐October) was 125% of the nectar volume of the population grown in the field. Results of the inheritance study indicated there were no reciprocal differences for nectar volume and that inheritance of nectar volume was predominantly additive. A recommended list of sampling procedures was developed for nectar breeding.