Open-pollinated, interspecific F1 hybrid seed orchards of Leucaena: II. Analysis of seedlings

Seed produced on a single clone of a self-incompatible Leucaena species interplanted with cross compatible pollen donors of another species should theoretically be interspecific hybrid seed. This paper reports on the parentage of seed produced on two clones (K804, K953) of L. pallida produced in two interspecific seed orchards during the first year of growth. Grafting was used to propagate the two L. pallida clones and the interplanted pollen donors including L. leucocephala (K420, K481, K636) and the F1 hybrid KX3 (L. diversifolia K156 × L. leucocephala K636). Seed was produced on L. pallida K804 in one orchard, and on L. pallida K953 in the other orchard. Seeding leaf morphological characteristics including pinnule pairs per pinna, pinnule width and general appearance were used to determine parentage of seed produced on the L. pallida clones in each orchard. L. pallida K804 produced 81% interspecific hybrid seed while L. pallida K953 only produced 27% hybrid seed. These results suggest a breakdown of the gametophytic self-incompatibility mechanism in L. pallida, particularly in the K953 clone. The feasibility and possible improvement to this seed production system are discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.