Post date: May 21, 2018 1:21:20 AM
The plan for 21may18. Also in Google Drive "alfalfa 2018":
Photos:
We want a picture of each plant for future reference. Hold a piece of white paper behind the plant to make the plant stand out from the background. A cell phone picture will work, but make sure you can read the tag in the picture. Afterwards, rename the files consistently with population, family and rep numbers (e.g., “ALP1-1). Upload them in the folder named “plant-photos”.
On the “development” data sheet, record the developmental stage the main (usually tallest) stem is at:
Stage 0: Early Vegetative. Stem length </= 15 cm (6 in); no visible buds, flowers or seed pods
Stage 1: Mid-Vegetative. Stem length 16-30 cm (6-12 in); no visible buds, flowers or seed pods
Stage 2: Late Vegetative. Stem length >/= 31 cm (12 in); no visible buds, flowers or seed pods
Stage 3: Early Bud. 1-2 nodes with visible buds; no flowers or seed pods.
Stage 4: Late Bud. >/= 3 nodes with visible buds; no flowers or seed pods.
Stage 5: Early Flower. One node with one open flower; no seed pods.
Stage 6: Late Flower. >/= 2 nodes with open flowers; no seed pods.
Stage 7: Early Seed Pod. 1-3 nodes with green seed pods.
Stage 8: Late Seed Pod. >/= 4 nodes with green seed pods.
Stage 9: Ripe Seed Pod. Nodes with mostly brown, mature seed pods.
Leaf toughness with penetrometer:
Measure leaf toughness on big leaf from the main stem. If there are multiple big leaves, take the one that is oldest (closest to the bottom of the plant). Use the penetrometer to measure toughness for all three leaflets of the leaf: left, center, right. Penetrate through the center of each leaf (including the midvein) with a consistent motion and speed (to the extent possible).
Measure leaf toughness based on the top of the dial. Record leaf toughness to the nearest 5 g (round up if exactly half-way between two marks). Record “NA” and make a note if there is an issue with a measurement (e.g., if you knock the dial or if the penetrometer doesn’t go through the middle, etc.).