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Cross-Pollination in Sericea Lespedeza¹

Percent crossing was determined in two populations of Lespedeza cuneata for 3 years and in one population for 2 years. A simply inherited, partially recessive, low tannin character served as the genetic marker for identifying hybrids.

Chasmogamous seed production ranged from 10 to 38% of the total among populations and years. Percent crossing in chasmogamous flowers ranged from 16 to 43%, and percent crossing for total seed ranged from 2 to 13%.

Plant to plant variation in percent crossing was highly significant, but the crossing percent of individual plants was not consistent from year to year, indicating a large environmental effect relative to genetic. The nature of the environmental effect is unknown, but may be related to the size and activity of the natural pollinator bee populations.

Crossing percent in sericea may often be too low for one generation of crossing inbred lines to be effective to utilize heterosis. A breeding program should be designed for several consecutive generations of intercrossing for seed production.

² Research Agronomist, Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, and Research Associate Professor, North Carolina Agr. Exp. Sta.

Received for publication April 18, 1966.