DIALLEL CROSSES OF 'VERNAL' ALFALFA PLANTS SELECTED FOR VIGOR IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIMOTHY GRASS

Abstract

Results from alfalfa diallel crosses showed that general and specific combining ability and reciprocal effects were mostly significant, but their relative importance varied with the character and the time of measurement.There were indications that early and dark flowering plants were more vigorous in this alfalfa material of 'Vernal' origin. Other correlations showed associations between vigor characters at an early stage and differences in later stages. A comparison with Vernal indicated that the selected material was relatively more vigorous under competition. Correlations with open-pollinated material were significant in plant height and diameter but not in vigor.