Artificial hybridization between Robinia pseudoacacia L. and R. pseudoacacia var. monophylla Carr.

Abstract

Summary Results regarding artifi cial cross- and self-pollination between Robinia pseudoacacia L. and R. pseudoacacia var. monophylla Carr. are reported. Parental clones involved in a diallel mating scheme were selected according to leaf type phenotype and included (1) single-leaf type, (2) 25-leaf type, (3) three-leaf type and (4) common Robinia . Artifi cial pollination proved to be a diffi cult and delicate procedure. A total of 33 pollinations were made that resulted in the formation of 84 pods, of which 24 developed fully and produced 65 seeds. Fifteen seeds were germinated, resulting in the production of two putative fertile hybrids. The success of hybridization was assessed by genetic markers, while parental clones and hybrid progeny were assigned multilocus genotypes. The mode of inheritance of the leaf type trait was studied in open-pollinated families where the monophylla type was the maternal parent. The study indicated that leaf type in the monophylla variety may be associated with major gene effects.