REPRODUCTIVE COMPATIBILITY AND INTROGRESSION HABILITY IN Lotus corniculatus L.

Abstract

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) is a widely distributed polymorphic perennial forage legume species found in temperate regions
of Europe, Asia Minor, North Africa, and North and South America. Because of the information about the reproductive compatibility
among genetically and ecologically diverse genotypes is scant, this research was conducted to characterize the ease of introgression of 27
birdsfoot trefoil genotypes into two genetically diverse hybridization testers, and to determine if the cross compatibility among exotic genotypes is related to their genetic background. The study was done using bidirectional crosses with one domestic and some exotic genotype testers, and a diallele crossing matrix of eight genotypes, to determine cross-compatibility among exotic germplasm. Reproductive success and level of incompatibility was measured as percentages of pod set and pollen viability. The self pod set and pollen viability percentages of the genotypes were not correlated, but exhibited a wide range of differences. Some specific crosses were abte to bridge any combination of genotypes otherwise incompatible. Even though birdsfoot trefoil is morphologically diverse, exotic germplam can be utilized by conventional breeding methods.