Collars on Arilmed seeds
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Collars on Arilmed seeds
- From: S* M* <7*@CompuServe.COM>
- Date: Tue, 7 Jan 1997 10:23:13 -0700 (MST)
Walter Moores wrote:
: Can anyone verify more aril characteristics in the progeny of a
: cross of bearded x aril if the seed showed a pronounced aril collar?
That's another "old hybridizers' tale" that does seem to have some validity --
but that's just twenty-some years of observations, not a statistical analysis.
: Which is better? bearded x aril aril x bearded
That's "apples 'n' oranges". The Bearded X Aril cross is easier to make, but
I've found that it gives a lower percentage of offspring with aril
characteristics. The Aril X Bearded cross, though more difficult, produces a
higher percentage of good seedlings. So each has its advantages and
disadvantages and I continue to make both types of crosses.
: Why is germination so poor on these crosses?
The parental species are so different that their chromosomes can't match up
normally. The result is a lot of air pods and pods that are mostly chaff -- and
sometimes apparently full pods with a high proportion of seeds that look normal
but don't have a viable embryo. This is why I used enhanced or forced
germination techniques for seeds from all of my wide crosses.
Sharon McAllister (73372.1745@compuserve.com)
