Species hybridization in Trifolium

This investigation confirms the existence of a high degree of incompatibility between species of Trifolium. Two techniques were developed in an attempt to overcome the barriers to hybridization. The first deals with the use of grafting as a screening technique for compatible genotypes, and the second is an embryo culture method for salvaging hybrid embryos which would otherwise abort. The value of these methods is discussed, and the results are compared with those from hybridizations of non-grafted material and of seed set without artificial embryo culture. Hybrids were obtained from three species combinations at different levels of ploidy.