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Inheritance of a Chlorotic Seedling Trait that Affects Zygote Survival in Diploid Alfalfa¹

Two independent genes were shown to control inheritance of yellow and white seedlings in diploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The dominant allele of the Gc-gc locus was epistatic to either allele of the Yc-yc locus and produced normal green seedlings. The gcgc Yc genotypes produced yellow seedlings; the double homozygous recessive (gcgc ycyc) genotype produced white seedlings. All sells and crosses of Gcgc heterozygotes produced families with fewer than expected numbers of chlorotic seedlings. Because normal frequencies of Gcgc heterozygotes were observed among green F₁ plants, we concluded that mortality of the chlorotic genotypes caused the deficiencies. Significant differences in frequency of chlorotic seedlings occurred between several Gcgc YcYc x Gcgc Ycyc crosses. We postulated that the differences were caused by epistatic interaction with partially lethal genes at other loci. This supports the prediction by Busbice that such genes do occur and that they may be responsible for the rapid decline in seed yield observed on inbreeding alfalfa.

Key Words: Lethal genes • Embryonic mortality • Epistasis • Medicago sativa L.

² Assistant professor, Dept. of Agron., Va. Polytech. Inst. and State U., Blacksburg, VA 24061 and research geneticist, ARS, USDA, in the Dept. of Agron. and Plant Genet., U. of Minn., St. Paul, MN 55101, respectively.

Received for publication June 17, 1974.