Inheritance of somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
To study the inheritance of somatic embryogenesis in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), three alfalfa genotypes were self-pollinated and intercrossed. A70-34 is a highly embryogenic genotype; R3 produced callus but not embryos; and MK does not produce callus. Callus production was controlled by one locus with complete dominance. In a survey of 107 alfalfa genotypes, the dominant and recessive alleles were present in equal frequencies. Embryogenesis among those plants producing callus was controlled by two complementary loci with additivity within each locus. The suggested designations for the two genes are Rna and Rnb.Key words: alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., tissue culture, somatic embryogenesis, inheritance.