SELECTION IN ALFALFA FOR TOLERANCE TO TOXIC LEVELS OF ALUMINUM

Abstract

The alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) population ’B13’ was screened through four cycles of recurrent phenotypic selection for tolerance to toxic levels of Al in growth chambers; germplasm from cycles 1 through 4 was designated B13-A11, B13-A12, B13-A13, and B13-A14, respectively. Cycles 1 and 2 were screened in Tatum clay-loam subsoil (36% Al saturation for cycle 1 and 61% Al saturation for cycle 2), and cycles 3 and 4 were screened in a modified Steinberg solution (111 μmol Al, pH 4.5). Selection was based on root growth in the first two cycles and shoot growth in the latter two cycles. Selections were intercrossed with honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) at the end of each cycle. Efficacy of the selection procedure was evaluated in pH 4.5 Steinberg solutions (Al concentration of 0 or 111 μmol), and in Tatum soil (0 or 68% Al saturation). Regression analysis indicated that significant but minimal progress was made in developing synthetics with improved vigor under Al toxic conditions. B13-A14 was among the least impaired of the entries in the ability to take up nutrients whereas AS-4 and Williamsburg (susceptible checks) were among the most impaired. It was concluded that tolerance to Al in nutrient solutions and soil could involve different mechanisms and that the screening procedure used here was much more effective in selecting for vigor than for Al tolerance. Alternative breeding approaches were proposed.Key words: Alfalfa, plant breeding, germplasm, recurrent selection, hydroponic, nutrient solution