Undergraduate Research and Capstones

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Intravarietal Variability for Biological Nitrogen Fixation in Southernpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)
(1981) Fougeron, Chantel Renee; Miller, J. Creighton, Jr.
This investigation was conducted to determine whether intravarietal variability for nitrogen fixation in southerpea has a genetic basis. Two seed sources each of 'Brown Crowder’ and 'Bush Purple Hull’ were inoculated and grown in the greenhouse. Following acetylene-ethylene assay, plants representing low, medium, and high nitrogen fixation potential were selected from each of the four populations. Plants were propagated vegetatively and allowed to produce seed. The seed were then planted in a randomized block and assayed as before. 'Brown Crowder’ had a greater nitrogen fixation potential than 'Bush Purple Hull’ regardless of seed source. Sufficient variability for plant specific activity within varieties and sources was found to allow for the delineation of three phenotypic classes for first cycle selection. Although there was no significant difference in plant specific activity in the progeny, a positive trend was observed which may support a genetic basis for this variability.