Authors : Wenxu Zhang, Shehui Fang, Huajia Shan, Ying Li, Laigui Shang, Mingya Wang and Peisheng Mao
Abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is one of the most important forage legumes worldwide. Breeding to improve seed yield will enhance the value of alfalfa. Using three alfalfa cultivars (M. sativa L. Gannong No. 6, M. sativa L. Gannong No. 1 and M. sativa L. Defl) a field study was conducted from 2004 to 2007 to evaluate the effects of an inflorescence mutant (Gannong No. 6) on seed yield. The hypothesis was that a mutant with a long inflorescence would improve seed yield by improving seed yield components such as the number of flowers, pods and seeds per inflorescence and 1,000 seed weight. Each of these factors were investigated to determine the relationship between inflorescence length and seed yield components and to identify the key factors involved in improving seed yield. The results were statistically analyzed and yielded four main conclusions. Firstly, the differences among cultivars had significant effects on inflorescence length and the number of flowers, pods and seeds per inflorescence. Secondly, in Gannong No. 6, the average number of flowers, pods and seeds per inflorescence was 75.40, 30.88 and 76.23, respectively with an average inflorescence length of 12.46 cm. Thirdly, in Gannong No. 6, the inflorescence length significantly affected some yield components such as the number of flowers, pods and seeds per inflorescence. Finally, Gannong No. 6 possessed high seed yield because of an increased inflorescence length.
Wenxu Zhang, Shehui Fang, Huajia Shan, Ying Li, Laigui Shang, Mingya Wang and Peisheng Mao, 2013. Inflorescence Mutant Effect on Seed Yield Components in Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. Gannong No. 6). Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 377-381.