Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-pjpqr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-28T05:19:56.743Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Factors influencing seed-setting in alfalfa1

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. M. Armstrong
Affiliation:
(Division of Agrostology, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada.)
W. J. White
Affiliation:
(Division of Agrostology, Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Canada.)

Extract

This paper reports the results of a study of pollination and fertilisation in alfalfa. The experimental material consisted of plants of the Grimm variety and certain high seed-setting selections which are normally self-fertilised.

The high seed-setting types do not differ from the low seed-setting types with respect to the stage of anther dehiscence, amount and distribution of the pollen, or relative length of pistil and anthers. Anther dehiscence in both types regularly begins in the pointed bud stage and pollination is completed at the erect standard stage.

Pod-setting is shown to depend upon flower tripping. Tripped flowers set a high proportion of pods, while untripped flowers invariably wilt and drop.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1935

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Blinn, P. K.Factors that affect alfalfa seed yields. Bull. Colo, agric. Exp. Sta. (1920), No. 257.Google Scholar
Brand, C. J. and Westgate, J. M.Alfalfa in cultivated rows for seed production in semi-arid regions. Dep. Circ. U. S. Dep. Agric. (1909), 24, 123.Google Scholar
Burkill, T. H.On the fertilisation of some species of Medicago L. in England. Proc. Camb. phil. Soc. (1894), 8, 142–53.Google Scholar
Carlson, J. W.Artificial tripping of flowers in alfalfa in relation to seed production. J. Amer. Soc. Agron. (1930), 22, 780–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carlson, J. W. and Stewart, G.Alfalfa seed production. Bull. Utah agric. Exp. Sta. (1931), No. 226.Google Scholar
Clark, A. E. and Fryer, J. R.Seed-setting in alfalfa. Sci. Agric. (1930), 11, 3843.Google Scholar
Coffman, F. A.Pollination in alfalfa. Bot. Gaz. (1922), 74, 197203.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dwyer, R. E.Further observations on pollination and seed-setting in lucerne. Agric. Gaz. N.S.W. (1932), 43, 141–6.Google Scholar
Engelbert, V.A study of various factors influencing seed production in alfalfa. Sci. Agric. (1932), 12, 593603.Google Scholar
Hackbarth, J.Artificial crossing methods in sweet clover and alfalfa (German). Züchter (1930), 2.Google Scholar
Helmbold, F.Untersuchungen über die Befruchtungsverhältnisse, über die Bedingungen und über die Vererbung der Samenerzeugung bei Luzerne. Z. Pflanzen. (1929), 14.Google Scholar
Hildebrand, F.Über die Vorrichtungen an einigen Blüthen zur Befruchtung durch Insektenhülfe. Bot. Ztg (1866), Jahrg. 24, No. 10.Google Scholar
Kirk, L. E.Alfalfa breeding for seed production. Address delivered at the World's Grain Exhibition and Conference at Regina, Sask. 1933. Proceedings, Scientific Papers, 2 (1934).Google Scholar
Kirk, L. E. and Stevenson, T. M.Factors which influence spontaneous selffertilization in sweet clover (Melilotus). Can. J. Res. (1931), 5, 313–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kirk, L. E. and White, W. J.Autogamous alfalfa. Sci. Agric. (1933), 13, 591–3.Google Scholar
Martin, J. N.Relation of moisture to seed production in alfalfa. Bull. Ia agric. Exp. Sta. (1915), 23, 303–24.Google Scholar
Muller, H.Die Befruchtung der Blumen durch Insekten und die gegenseitigen Anpassungen (1873). Leipzig.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Piper, C. V., Evans, M. W., McKee, R. and Morse, W. I.Alfalfa seed production; pollination studies. Bull. U. S. Dep. Agric. (1914), No. 75, 132.Google Scholar
Roberts, H. G.Alfalfa varieties, breeding, seed and inoculation. Rep. Kans. St. Bd Agric. (1916), 35, 180.Google Scholar
Torssell, R. Möjligheterna för Luzernens förädling och fröodling. Lecture given at a conference held at the Agric. Acad. 21 Oct. 1929.Google Scholar
Ufer, M.Beiträge zur Blütenbiologie der Luzerne. Züchter (1932), 4, 282–6.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Urban, I.Prodromus einer Monographic der Gattung Medicago L. Verh. bot. Ver. Brandenburg (1873), Jahrg. 15, 1316.Google Scholar