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Simplification of the Heat Treatment Technique to Enhance Pseudo-Self-Compatibility in Trifolium pratense L.¹

A simplified incubator is described for controlling temperature of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) flower heads during anthesis in order to promote pseudo-selfcompatibility. The incubator was used to study the variability of self-seed yields. The yields were greatest, with excised stems at 20 to 25 C and flower heads at 31 to 38 C with 25 to 50% relative humidity. Illumination during anthesis had no effect on yield. When plants had grown under adequate light intensities there were no differences in seed yields between excised and intact stem treatments. However, seed yields were highest from excised stems when growth was limited by low light conditions. There were no advantages in seed yields from treatments to the lower end of excised stems with extreme heat, cold, or pressure, which killed the cells. Pollen tubes grew through fewer pistils of the self- than of the cross-pollinated florets. The percentage of pistils in which pollen tubes grew into the ovulary that eventually set seed, the correlation of pollen tube growth and seedset, and the percentage of seeds that germinated were all similar for both mating types. These data indicate that the selfincompatibility alleles do not directly influence fertilization, seed development, or seed germination.

Key Words: Red clover • Inbreeding • Selfing

² Plant Physiologist, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA, University Park, Pa. 16802.

Received for publication March 21, 1973.