Genetics of incompatibility and other segregating characters in Lotus Corniculatus L.

Fundamental genetic studies have application in the breeding and improvement of crop plants. There is a deficiency of this knowledge in birdsfoot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Cytogenetic principles have contributed a lot to the improvement of wheat, corn and several other crop plants. Similar studies can be undertaken with birdsfoot-trefoil. So far, few intensive investigations have been carried out in this crop since its potentiality as a forage crop has been recognized only recently. Dawson (1941), Bubar (1957), Donovan (1959), Hart and Wi1sie (1958), Buzzell and Wilsie (1963) found tetrasomic and disomic inheritance in birdsfoot-trefoil. Inheritance studies are important in order to understand the segregation of characters, to bui1d up genetic stocks which may be used in breeding of a crop, and to determine the percentage of natura1 crossing by distinguishing selfs from crossed progenies in a population. [...