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Performance of Crosses Within and Between Two Diverse Sources of Birdsfoot Trefoil, Lotus corniculatus L.¹

Nine clones derived from the cultivar ‘Empire’ and nine clones derived from two Russian introductions of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus eorniculatus L.) were crossed in a partial diallel fashion, both within and between sources, to evaluate the influence of genetic diversity on expression of heterosis, to study combining ability of the parent clones, and to study interrelationships among characters that affect forage yield, seed size, and seed production. Sibmating was practiced in 16 F₁ progenies to study breeding behavior in the second generation.

In a space-planted test, intersource F₁ progenies yielded 14% more forage than intrasource progenies; however, they did not outyield crosses within the Russian source. General combining ability mean squares usually were considerably larger than specific combining ability mean squares. Full-sib progenies derived from intersource crosses were superior to those from intrasource crosses in forage yield, winterhardiness, spring vigor, and pod production.

High forage yield was closely associated with spring vigor and winterhardiness in F₁ and full-sib progenies and tended to be associated with a more prostrate growth habit and good pod production. Large seed size showed a low but significant association with low forage yield. Seed size was independent of pod production.

Key Words: Heterosis • Combining ability • Forage yield • Winterhardiness • Growth habit • Seed size • Pod production • Intercharacter correlations

² Former Research Associate and Associate Professor of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50010.

Received for publication December 23, 1972.