SouTHWORTH : Alfalfa Hybridization 



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As will be seen by the above the pros- 

 trate and deciimbent forms have been 

 classed together as non-erect and the 

 semi-erect and erect make up the 



other group, each group containing a 

 series of forms. 



Comparing the actual results 'with 

 the calculated we have the following: 



Reasoning on the basis of the above 

 system of classification we have here 

 also a strong suggestion of Mendelian 

 segregation, the non-erect forms being 

 dominant and the erect recessive. 



For reasons already indicated I do 

 not consider this study as furnishing 

 conclusive evidence in support of the 

 points under investigation, and it is 

 proposed to remove the plants into the 

 open field and after a more prolonged 

 study under natural conditions to pre- 

 sent a further statement which it is 

 hoped may be more exhaustive and on 

 which we may look with a greater 

 degree of confidence than is possible at 

 the present stage of the enquiry. 



SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS. 



1. There is need for a strain of 

 alfalfa having superior properties to any 

 at present in cultivation, especially in 

 its power to produce seed freely under 

 a great variety of conditions. 



2. Alfalfa apparently does not seed 

 freely in absence of suitable insects to 

 insure fertilization of the flowers. 



3. Wild bees of the Megachile species 

 seem to be most effective in insuring 

 fertilization. 



4. Alfalfa flowers are not self -sterile 

 and may be artificially self-fertilized 

 with good results. 



5. Black medick is capable of self- 

 fertilization and produces seed freely 

 even when insects are prevented gaining 

 access to the flowers. 



6. In the practice of hybridization 

 of alfalfa better results are obtained by 

 working on mature flowers than by 

 operating on flower buds. 



7. The cross between alfalfa and 

 black medick is effected only with con- 

 siderable diffictilty and prolonged effort 

 is essential to warrant success. 



8. In the Fi Generation hybrids the 

 plants were variable and usually greatly 

 different from either of the parental 

 forms. 



9. A study of the progeny of F2 

 Generation revealed a tendency to 

 Mendelian segregation both in height of 

 plant and habit of growth, but further 

 study is necessary to confirm these 

 points. 



10. The difficulty often experienced 

 of inducing germination in hard alfalfa 

 seeds may be successfully overcome by 

 treating them with strong commercial 

 sulfuric acid. 



