Publication Date
1989
Description
The largest constraint in breeding temperate grasses is the efficiency of selection. This is related to the complex combination of desired characters which ensures persisting productivity. Selection usually starts with spaced plants, later followed by progeny tests in sown swards. The applicability of selection among spaced plants for characters to be expressed under heavy competition in the grass sward has often been debated. A solution to this problem is growing spaced plants under competitive conditions provided by a sward of a distinguishable grass species (Van Dijk and Winkelhorst, 1978). Recurrent selection of slightly inbred populations of perennial ryegrass via this ward-selection procedure might result in high yielding uniform families. Results of such an experiment are presented. More insight into physiological processes underlying such characters as productivity, stress tolerance and persistence might enable breeders to single out key components of these characters which can be reliably used for preselection among the spaced plants. At the SVP a hydroponic culture system has been set up to study such component characters in relation to diverse stresses such as nitrogen-limitation and drought. Some first results of these experiments will be discussed.
Citation
Den Nijs, A.P M. and Schapendonk, A.H C.M, "Recurrent Selection and Hydroponic Cultures for Improving the Efficiency of Forage Grass Breeding" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session3b/3
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Recurrent Selection and Hydroponic Cultures for Improving the Efficiency of Forage Grass Breeding
The largest constraint in breeding temperate grasses is the efficiency of selection. This is related to the complex combination of desired characters which ensures persisting productivity. Selection usually starts with spaced plants, later followed by progeny tests in sown swards. The applicability of selection among spaced plants for characters to be expressed under heavy competition in the grass sward has often been debated. A solution to this problem is growing spaced plants under competitive conditions provided by a sward of a distinguishable grass species (Van Dijk and Winkelhorst, 1978). Recurrent selection of slightly inbred populations of perennial ryegrass via this ward-selection procedure might result in high yielding uniform families. Results of such an experiment are presented. More insight into physiological processes underlying such characters as productivity, stress tolerance and persistence might enable breeders to single out key components of these characters which can be reliably used for preselection among the spaced plants. At the SVP a hydroponic culture system has been set up to study such component characters in relation to diverse stresses such as nitrogen-limitation and drought. Some first results of these experiments will be discussed.
