Effect of Inbreeding on Fertility and Vigor of Alfalfa¹

Abstract

Synopsis Average self‐fertility of 437 alfalfa plants was 0.75 seeds per flower tripped. One generation of selfing has resulted in an average loss of 80 to 90% in self‐fertility and 20 to 30% in vegetative vigor. In a study of 8 clones, loss in vigor was greater from the S 1 to S 2 generation than from the S 0 to S 1 generation. The vegetatively‐propagated clone appeared to be the most satisfactory parental base from which to estimate inbreeding depression.