Description
Breeding apomictic grasses is based on either the direct selection of apomictic landraces or the hybridization of sexual and apomictic types and selection of apomictic F1 hybrids. Little is known about the potential of sexual hybrids as cultivars in apomictic species. To determine if method of reproduction (MOR) was related to plant vigor, parental, S1, and F1 hybrids of buffelgrass differing in method of reproduction (apomictic or sexual) were established in a common garden in 1994 and 1995. In both years severe inbreeding depression was observed in the S1 progeny as they were shorter, produced less biomass, and had low seed-set when compared to the sexual parents or the F 1 hybrids. In contrast, the apomictic and sexual F1 hybrids produced similar biomass, tiller numbers, and were similar in plant height. This study suggests that while severe inbreeding depression occurs in buffelgrass, sexual F1 hybrids are as vigorous as apomictic hybrids and could be considered for potential use as cultivars.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Fitness of Apomictic and Sexual Buffelgrass Germplasm
Breeding apomictic grasses is based on either the direct selection of apomictic landraces or the hybridization of sexual and apomictic types and selection of apomictic F1 hybrids. Little is known about the potential of sexual hybrids as cultivars in apomictic species. To determine if method of reproduction (MOR) was related to plant vigor, parental, S1, and F1 hybrids of buffelgrass differing in method of reproduction (apomictic or sexual) were established in a common garden in 1994 and 1995. In both years severe inbreeding depression was observed in the S1 progeny as they were shorter, produced less biomass, and had low seed-set when compared to the sexual parents or the F 1 hybrids. In contrast, the apomictic and sexual F1 hybrids produced similar biomass, tiller numbers, and were similar in plant height. This study suggests that while severe inbreeding depression occurs in buffelgrass, sexual F1 hybrids are as vigorous as apomictic hybrids and could be considered for potential use as cultivars.
