Seed Production in Alfalfa as Related to Nectar Production and Honeybee Visitation

Abstract

The studies reported were undertaken in an effort to obtain some fundamental information on the relation of nectar production, bee visitation, and seed production in alfalfa. Significant positive correlations were obtained between nectar production per plant and honeybee visitors and between bee visitors and seed yield. Error line correlations in covariance analysis were significant indicating that the relationship was indpendent of the particular materials used. That values are significantly different after adjustment suggests that factors other than the ones considered are important in bee visitation and seed yield. Multifactorial inheritance is postulated on the basis of several normally distributed populations. As far as breeding is concerned the writer is of the opinion that, for the present at least, selections should be based on seed production. After a modest improvement has been realized in this way, it would seem to be worth while to consider such a factor as nectar production in more detail.