Studies on morphological and genetical similarities of Medicago murex and M. doliata to M. scutellata.

ABSTRACT

Lucerne (M. sativa L., 2n = 4x = 32) is susceptible to weevil (Hypera postica Gyll) insect, hence incorporation of desirable gene (s) from M. scutellata (2n = 30) is an important researchable issue. Incompatibility due to incongruous chromosomal arrangements in these two species necessitated the identification of closer species to M. scutellata (possibly progenitors). After screening 197 accessions comprising 50 Medicago species, M. murex (2n = 2x = 14) and M. doliata (2n = 2x = 16) have been identified as morphologically similar having compatible ploidy and genetically closer to M. scutellata as observed with 17 simple sequence repeats (SSR) and 8 enzymes based isozyme markers. The identified accessions namely IL-04-223 and IL-04-151 of M. doliata and M. murex respectively showing low levels (< 5%) of weevil infestation can be contemplated with diploid M. sativa (2n = 2x = 16) to generate weevil resistant lines.