PROPAGATION OF CHLOROPHYLL-DEFICIENT SWEETCLOVER HYBRIDS AS GRAFTS*

Abstract

When Melilotus alba and M. dentata are crossed, the F1 hybrids are chlorophyll-deficient and live for only a few days. Such defective hybrids were grafted on normal sweet clover plants and reared to maturity. 7 seeds and 2 mature plants have resulted from back crossing 191 flowers of the F1 hybrid with M. alba pollen. The F1 hybrids resemble plants of M. alba in the shape of the stipule but tend to be intermediate between the parent species in flower color and number of ovules per ovary. Of the pollen grains, < 20% appeared to be functional.