PLANT BREEDING 



0. F. Frfckman. \A'. E. J'.rvax, E. H. Prksslf^v 



ALFALFA 



Alfalfa studies during the past year have been confined, first, to 

 the field plots one-fourth acre in size ; second, to plot rows, each of 

 which was planted from seed taken from a single mother plant ; 

 and, third, to a study of variation from the recognized type in both 

 Bairy Peruvian and the common types. 



Of the twenty field p!ots of variety tests at the Salt River Val- 

 ley Experiment Farm, four were selected for future increase and 

 testing by farmers in different parts of the State, in order to test 

 their yields in the different alfalfa sections. By referring to last 

 year's report (p. 157) it will be seen that the French variety (No. 

 41) was the highest in yield of these ph^ts, and that the yields of 

 its summer cuttings were relatively high. For these reasons No. 

 41 (French) and a plot each u{ Hairy Peruvian. Algerian, and 

 Turkestan alfalfas were saved last summer for seed. The other 

 sixteen plots of this series were discontinued. A rather light seed 

 crop was matured on these plots last season, but on the day (August 

 24) they were cut for seed, a severe storm occurred and so scat- 

 tered and mixed the varieties that none of the seeds could be used. 

 For this reason another season at least will be necessary to obtain 

 the final seeding for this series. 



Of the 61 pedigreed races grown in rows last season, 36 were 

 selected for increase and testing in field plots. These selections 

 were made on the basis of yield and quality of hay. The quality 

 of the hay was based on a high percentage of leaves and relatively 

 small size of stems. Sufficient data on these characters have been 

 accumulated to permit a number of the best selections to be made 

 and seed will be taken from these next season. 



In connection with alfalfa seed certification in this State, the 

 question of type of plant has become important. For example, in 

 a so-called Hairy Peruvian field, are the various forms usually found 

 the result of normal variation within a pure line, or do these forms 

 come about as a result of mixtures or of cross-pollination? In an 

 attempt to secure data which will answer this question, the follow- 

 ing line of work has been ])lanne(l and begun at the Salt River 

 X'alley Experiment Farm. 



