EMBRYOGENIC RESPONSE OF MEXICAN ALFALFA (MEDICAGO-SATIVA) VARIETIES

The in vitro embryogenic response of nine varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) grown in Mexico (five Mexican varieties: Puebla 76, Inia 76, Bajio 76, Sintetico I and Sintetico II and four foreign or introduced varieties: Moapa 69, San Joaquin II, Hairy Peruvian and Valenciana) were tested. We screened 25 genotypes from each variety in four tissue culture protocols. All the varieties, except San Joaquin II, gave a positive response in one or more of the protocols tested. The response in each variety was low; this was also observed in a wider screening performed with the varieties Moapa 69, Hairy Peruvian, Sintetico I and Sintetico II. Two plants from Moapa 69 were regenerated and appeared normal.