IMPLEMENTATION OF MOLECULAR MARKERS DIVERSITY IN PARENTAL SELECTION OF ALFALFA (MEDICAGO SATIVA L.) GERMPLASM

The aim of this research was to determine the relationships between genetically similar and dissimilar parental components of alfalfa based on genetic distance estimated by RAPD markers, and yield and yield-related performance of F-1 progenies derived from them. Eight combinations of parents with large and small genetic distances were hand-crossed in the field during July 2007. F-1 progenies and their selected parental germplasm of each cross combination were evaluated during two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). Field experiment was designed as a randomised complete block in four replicates. The data for the yields of green mass and dry matter, plant height and number of stems were collected for all individual plants of each progeny/parent The results of this investigation revealed positive association between the genetic diversity of parental germplasm and the yield of their progenies. Most of the progenies created by crossing genetically divergent parental components had higher yield and yield-related traits than progenies obtained by crossing similar parents. The results confirmed the usefulness of molecular marker application in identification of alfalfa germplasm similarity/dissimilarity.