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Environmental and genetic effects upon reproductive growth in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

E. W. Bean
Affiliation:
Welsh Plant Breeding Station, Aberystwyth

Summary

The environmental and genetic control of reproductive growth was studied in S. 170 a variety of Festuca arundinacea Schreb. The variety had induction requirements for short days and low temperatures before inflorescence production could occur, but some genotypes became induced with only short-day treatments. Low temperatures and short days in controlled environment rooms were less effective in bringing about induction than winter conditions in an unheated glasshouse. Only non-additive genetic effects could be shown to be significant in the control of induction requirements. Field studies showed that all inflorescence characters were subject to genetic and genetic x environmental control, and they also indicated that seed weight per inflorescence and seed fertility were most likely to show a response to selection. Diallel analysis under glasshouse conditions showed that the seed fertility and 1000 seed weight of the parental crosses were subject to maternal control, but these effects were not detectable in the next generation. Genetic control of seed fertility and 1000 seed weight in the diallel progeny was mainly additive.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1969

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References

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