PROBABLE CASE OF 

 ^'ROGUE^^ IN RED CLOVER 



BY HERN F RID WITTE 



JÖNKÖPING, SWEDEN 



As is well known, red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a typical self- 

 /~\ sterile plant, though of course, it is possible that in very rare cases 

 types may be found which show tendency towards selffertility. In the 

 summer 1913, while visiting the plant breeding station in Petfowskoje- 

 Rasumowskoje at Moskou, Russia, Professor Dr L. Rudsinsky, director 

 of that station, presented me a sample of seed of a clover type, which 

 should be selffertile to a small extent. In the spring 1914 these seeds 

 were sown at Svalöf, and later in the summer 20 individuals were 

 planted 50 cm apart. All the plants were of the ordinary early 

 (2 cuts) clover type, with leaves of ordinary size. In the summer 1915 

 different individuals were isolated and artificially selffertilized, but 

 only one of these trials succeeded, and 2 single seeds were obtained. 

 As no further investigations were made and as the development of these 

 2 seeds may depend on insufficient accuracy in the experiment, it is 

 impossible to ascertain whether or not this clover type has a tendency 

 towards selffertility. 



The experiments, however, led to a discovery of great interest. By 

 crossfertilizing 2 individuals of the above mentioned type I obtained 

 some seeds which upon sowing gave rise to 3 individuals, one of which 

 had a very peculiar appearance and differed very much from the or- 

 dinary broad-leaved type. As shown in the figures 1 and 2, this plant 

 distinguishes itself especially through its narrow leaflets, the average 

 width amounting to only Vs — Vc of the width of the ordinary type. 

 The relation between width and length is in the ordinary type 1 : 1 

 to 1 : 3, but by this crossing 1 : 7,6 or 1 : 8. The margin of the leaflets 

 are more pronounced dentated and the stipules are more narrow than 

 in the ordinary type. The flowers are light rose-coloured, with a 

 long narrow standard, narrow wings and a more open keel than in 

 the common type. 



I perceived the great interest of a closer study of the genetics of 



