INHERITANCE OF SHORT INTERNODES IN WHITE CLOVER

A genotype (Upright VRG) of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) with short internodes was identified from the Southern Regional Virus Resistant (SRVR) germplasm. Plants with the short internode trait had smaller areas of stolon spread, greater height (petiole length), and fewer flowers than did normal white clover. Genetic analyses of the F1, F2, and backcross progenies of reciprocal crosses between Upright VRG and normal white clover clones were conducted. No differences due to reciprocal effects were found between any of the crosses or backcrosses. All F1 progeny had normal internodes except for two probable selfs. The F2 progeny segregated in a 15:1 ratio of normal to short internodes, indicating that the short internode trait was controlled by two recessive genes. The gene symbols i1 and i2 are proposed for this new trait.