Authors

John W. Carlson

Document Type

Full Issue

Publication Date

11-1935

Abstract

For many years alfalfa-seed production problems have engaged the attention of investigators in various parts of the world. Those factors which are regarded as of greatest importance in seed-setting are general climate, current weather, air humidity, soil moisture, and insect relationships within the various alfalfa-seed districts. Some attention in research has been given to pollen fertility and ovule sterility, as well as to general flower dynamics in relation to environmental conditions. Efforts have been made to develop strains of alfalfa having pollen that is resistant to injury by moisture or having self-tripping flowers or autogamous strains of alfalfa whose flowers are self-fertile and thereby capable of setting seed without the aid of tripping and pollinating insects. Different aspects of these problems are encountered in humid and arid regions. It is clearly evident that many important problems of alfalfa-seed production have not as yet been solved. Further study is required to determine the apparent fundamental relationship that exists between soil type, soil moisture, and weather conditions in relation to alfalfa-seed setting. The life activities of many insects and alfalfa flowers are inseparably associated. The economic aspects of these relationships in alfalfa-seed production should provide a fruitful field of research.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.