Increasing 2n gamete production in diploid alfalfa by cycles of phenotypic recurrent selection

Abstract

Two cycles of selection (3rd and 4th) were carried out in a diploid population of alfalfa to improve the frequency of 2n gametes. All the plants produced unreduced gametes, except one in the 2n egg population. The average seed set, used as a measure of 2n gametes production, increased significantly in the 2n pollen selection. Conversely, the increase was not significant in the case of 2n eggs. The improvement in 2n pollen production was confirmed cytologically. These results, like those of the first two cycles of selection, suggest that 2n pollen production is controlled by few major genes while 2n egg production is controlled by one recessive major gene and influenced by minor genes. The mutants selected have been utilized for producing heterotic tetraploid progenies through Bilateral Sexual Polyploidization (BSP).