A search for factors determining winter hardiness in alfalfa
1935
Megee, C.R.
A search was made to find factors that could be used in the laboratory to predict the relative winter hardiness of alfalfas. The results showed that the relative degree of injury of alfalfa roots by low temperature was indicated by electrical conductivity and in this manner the relative winter hardiness of different lots of alfalfas was determined. No direct relationship was found to exist between winter hardiness and heat of wetting, swelling, moisture equivalent, freezing point, chemical composition, respiration, and amount and rate of loss of moisture in roots of hardy and non-hardy alfalfas. Heredity is the most plausible explanation of the phenomenon of winter hardiness. For the time being it is necessary to adhere to field tests aided by electrical conductivity tests for determining the relative winter hardiness of different lots of alfalfas.
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