Factors influencing seed-setting in alfalfa

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Abstract
This paper reports the results of a study of pollination and fertilisation in alfalfa. The experimental material consisted of plants of the Grimm variety and certain high seed-setting selections which are normally self-fertilised.The high seed-setting types do not differ from the low seed-setting types with respect to the stage of anther dehiscence, amount and distribution of the pollen, or relative length of pistil and anthers. Anther dehiscence in both types regularly begins in the pointed bud stage and pollination is completed at the erect standard stage.Pod-setting is shown to depend upon flower tripping. Tripped flowers set a high proportion of pods, while untripped flowers invariably wilt and drop.

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