THE INHERITANCE OF2nPOLLEN FORMATION IN DIPLOID ALFALFAMEDICAGO SATIVA

Abstract

The inheritance of 2n pollen formation was studied in two diploid clones of alfalfa, Medicago sativa L. The two clones consistently produced a high frequency of 2n pollen, and they also porduced good seed set when used as males in 4x-2x crosses due to the functioning of 2n(2x) pollen. For the inheritance study the two clones were crossed with diploid clones of cultivated alfalfa at the diploid level (CADL), and with several clones of diploid M. falcata. In segregating families, plants that produced a high frequency of 2n pollen were identified by good seed set when used as males in 4x-2x crosses, and/or by bimodal pollen sizes. Plants that produced 4% or more 2n pollen generally produced greater than one seed per pollination in 4x-2x crosses, and these plants were considered 2n pollen producers. Analysis of self, F1, F2and backcross (BC) families indicated 2n pollen formation was controlled by a single recessive gene, designated rp (restitution pollen). An allelism test indicated 2n pollen formation was controlled by the same recessive gene in both clones. Although there was considerable variation in the frequency of 2n pollen in rp/rp plants grown in different environments, all rp/rp plants consistently produced a significant frequency of 2n pollen (greater than 4%). Simple genetic control of 2n pollen formation has important implications in the evolution of the genus Medicago. In addition, 2n pollen formation controlled by a single gene may have potential application in the breeding of highly heterozygous tetraploids and in the efficient transfer of germplasm across ploidy levels.