Seed-Production Potential of Tephrosia vogelii in Puerto Rico

Abstract

T. vogelii seed-production studies were established at the Isabela Substation of the Agricultural Experiment Station of the University of Puerto Rico in 1963 and 1964. Average seed-yields of the best producing lines ranged from approximately 450-500 kg./hectare, but this was only a fraction of the crop's potential production. A large percentage of florets failed to set pods. This was partly attributed to lack of insect pollinators, but unknown environmental and physiological factors were also thought to be important. Small but significant correlation coefficients indicated that the best seed-producing plants tended to be tall and to flower early. No significant relationship was observed between rotenoid content and seed-yield. A breeding program that simultaneously selects for both seed-yield and rotenoid content is suggested.