Relationships between inbreeding, meiotic irregularity, and fertility in alfalfa

1986 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Smith ◽  
R. P. Murphy

Fertility (seed production) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is severely depressed by inbreeding; however, little is known of the factors directly responsible for this depression. Irregularities in meiotic behavior could be partially responsible for the inbreeding depression in fertility observed. This study considered relationships between fertility, inbreeding, and irregularity in microsporogenesis. Fertility declined markedly with inbreeding in the materials examined (S0–S3). Irregularity in microsporogenesis, as measured by the percent irregular quartets, (i.e., quartets with micronuclei, supernumerary microspores, or irregular cytokinesis) increased significantly with inbreeding. Increases in quartet irregularity were associated with increases in the number of univalents per pollen mother cell observed at metaphase I. Considering all materials studied, the percentage of irregular quartets was negatively and significantly correlated with fertility as both a seed and a pollen parent. In more detailed analyses, it was observed that the percent irregular quartets was negatively associated with fertility as a pollen parent only when levels of irregularity were relatively high. No association was observed between the percent irregular quartets and fertility when levels of irregularity were relatively low.Key words: Medicago, microsporogenesis, seed production, breeding, fertility.

Genome ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. McCoy ◽  
G. L. Quarisa

Diploid (2n = 2x = 16), triploid (2n = 3x = 24), and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 32) interspecific hybrids between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and M. papillosa Boiss. were recovered either from seed (the triploid hybrids) or from ovule–embryo culture (the diploid and tetraploid hybrids). Cytogenetic analysis of diploid interspecific hybrids (with one genome of M. sativa, designated S, and one genome of M. papillosa, designated P), indicated significant genomic affinity, with an average of 7.6 bivalents and 0.8 univalents per pollen mother cell. In contrast, cytogenetic analysis of the triploid interspecific hybrids (with one S genome and two P genomes) indicated little if any genomic affinity between M. sativa and M. papillosa. In 7 of 14 triploid hybrids analyzed no trivalent configurations were observed, and in the other hybrids, trivalent frequency ranged from 0.1 to 0.4 per pollen mother cell. Tetraploid interspecific hybrids with two S and two P genomes had predominantly bivalent pairing. Based on the lack of homology of S and P genomes, the tetraploid hybrids are basically allotetraploids (SSPP). Therefore, backcross progeny from crossing the tetraploid hybrids with tetraploid M. sativa have the genomic constitution SSSP. Univalents and trivalents were observed in first backcross (BC1) progeny, as expected, based on an allotetraploid interpretation. Most of the BC1 progeny were partially or completely male sterile, and female fertility was significantly reduced. Potential uses of homoeologous genomes such as M. papillosa in alfalfa genetic and breeding studies are discussed.Key words: cytogenetics, interspecific hybrids, ovule –embryo culture.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 891-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. KROGMAN ◽  
E. H. HOBBS

In field plot experiments conducted in southern Alberta over a 6-yr period, highest seed yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Beaver) were obtained with one or two irrigations in the first half of the growing season. In outdoor lysimeters protected from rain, moisture stress for more than 8 days before seed ripening severely reduced seed production. Under field conditions, stored soil moisture from irrigation during the vegetative stage of growth plus occasional rain in July and August permitted irrigation of alfalfa for seed to be stopped at the bud to early bloom stage (June to early July).


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 263-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. WADDINGTON ◽  
N. MALIK

In two experiments at Melfort using alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ’Beaver’) seeded at a rate of 2 kg ha−1 with and without a Polish rapeseed (Brassica campestris L. ’Candle’) companion crop seeded at 5.5 kg ha−1, rapeseed yields in the establishment year were maximum when alfalfa and rapeseed were mixed and planted in 15-cm rows. Alfalfa showed no consistent seed yield differences between broadcast seeding, seeding in 15- or 61-cm rows, or seeding with or without the companion crop.Key words: Alfalfa, rapeseed, Brassica campestris, seed production


1986 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 585-589
Author(s):  
J. H. ELGIN Jr. ◽  
C. M. RINCKER

Thirty-one seedlots of Arc alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), produced between 1971 and 1974 at Prosser, Wash.; Stanfield, Oreg.; and Shafter and Tehachapi, Calif., were evaluated for shifts in field growth habits (regrowth after cutting, winter injury, and date of flowering) and greenhouse anthracnose resistance. Seedlots represented one (Syn 2), two (Syn 3), and three (Syn 4) generations of increase beyond the original Syn 1 lot, grown under four diverse environments. Results indicated a tendency for shift in regrowth rate among the Syn 3 and Syn 4 generation seedlots produced at Shafter, Calif. No shift in regrowth rate was observed for the other locations and no significant trends away from the original lot were observed for winter injury, date of flowering or anthracnose resistance.Key words: Medicago sativa L., seed production, genetic shifts, anthracnose resistance, fall growth, regrowth


Genetika ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Milic ◽  
Slobodan Katic ◽  
Jan Bocanski ◽  
Djura Karagic ◽  
Aleksandar Mikic ◽  
...  

The objective of this paper was to assess the importance and effectiveness of progeny tests that can be used in alfalfa breeding for increased green forage yields and shoot number per plant. A total of 35 alfalfa genotypes of different geographic and genetic origins were analyzed. The results of the study have shown that crossing full-sib or half-sib parents leads to a significant increase in yield and shoot number per plant. Significant inbreeding depression was observed in the S1 progenies of all the genotypes involved. The choice of alfalfa parents must be based on progeny analysis. Which particular method will be used will depend on the objective of the breeding program.


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