Seed Yields from Breeder and Foundation Seed of Eight Alfalfa Cultivars¹

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare seed yields from breeder and foundation seed classes of eight alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars, ‘Agate’, ‘Arc’, ‘Cody’, ‘Dawson’, ‘Kanza’, ‘Ramsey’, ‘Ranger’, and ‘Vernal’. Breeding methods used in developing the cultivars and generations of synthesis of breeder and foundation seed classes varied among cultivars. Breeder and foundation seed of the eight alfalfa cultivars were seeded at 2.2 kg/ha in a randomized block split‐plot design of cultivars as main plots and seed classes as subplots with three replications in a field near Caldwell, Idaho, in the spring of 1976. The experiment was managed to maximize seed yield. Seed yields were determined in 1977 and 1978. Seed yields obtained from breeder seed averaged over eight alfalfa cultivars were lower than those obtained from foundation seed in 1977 and for the 1977–1978 average. Seed yields obtained from breeder seed were lower than those obtained from foundation seed for two of eight cultivars, Ramsey and Vernal, in 1977 and for the 1977–1978 averages. Alfalfa breeders need to conduct seed yield tests that include at least one commercial seed generation of their experimental cultivars compared with a check cultivar.