Location: Vegetable Crops Research
Project Number: 5090-21000-068-012-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 30, 2018
End Date: Sep 29, 2023
Objective:
Quantify cumulative inbreeding depression in alfalfa.
Approach:
The ARS will work with the cooperator to quantify cumulative inbreeding depression in three cultivated alfalfa varieties. Hand crosses will be made with self and outcross pollen and fruit and seed set will be quantified. Seeds from each of these crosses will be germinated and grown to flowering. Germination rate, growth rate, and time to flowering will be determined. Total flower production on each plant will be measured. Inbreeding depression will be quantified as the difference in plant fitness between outcrossed and selfed progeny. Inbreeding depression will be quantified from seed production to flowering.
