What question did this study set out to answer?

To develop a seed-reproduced, chromosomally stable diploid form of cultivated alfalfa from tetraploid plants for genetic and breeding research.

January 1, 1979Crop Science

Cultivated Alfalfa at the Diploid Level: Origin, Reproductive Stability, and Yield of Seed and Forage1

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To develop a seed-reproduced, chromosomally stable diploid form of cultivated alfalfa from tetraploid plants for genetic and breeding research.
Generated diploid haploids from tetraploid alfalfa using 4x-2x crosses and hybridized them with diploid Medicago falcata.
Backcrossed fertile F1 hybrids across five cycles to diploid haploids, selecting for seed yield and fertility between generations.
Screened seven diploid populations for restitution (2n) gametes and tetraploids, and evaluated forage yield over two production years against tetraploid Vernal.
Cultivated germplasm increased from 50% in initial F1 hybrids to 98.44% by the fifth backcross, achieving seed-fertility levels comparable to tetraploid alfalfa.
Tetraploid frequency decreased from 2% in early populations to 0% in advanced generations, confirming true-breeding diploid stability.
A population containing 87.5% cultivated germplasm yielded 72% as much forage as tetraploid Vernal across three cuttings over the first two production years.

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Implication

Breeding and selection analysis demonstrates reproductive stability and high fertility in diploid cultivated alfalfa, indicating its viability for genetic research.

Cite This Study

Bingham et al. (1979) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa39804c715cee61e21d27e https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci1979.0011183x001900010024x

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Implication

Breeding and selection analysis demonstrates reproductive stability and high fertility in diploid cultivated alfalfa, indicating its viability for genetic research.

Cultivated Alfalfa at the Diploid Level: Origin, Reproductive Stability, and Yield of Seed and Forage1

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Cultivated Alfalfa at the Diploid Level: Origin, Reproductive Stability, and Yield of Seed and Forage1

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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