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Publication Date

1981

Description

Mediterranean types of perennial grasses are winter-growing and summer-dormant, while central and northern European types arc winter-dormant and aummer•growing. Dormancy severely limits the annual production and largely determines the seasonal distribution pattern of the perennial grass. Summer dormancy wa• studied in 81 Italian populations of Dac!)llit glomtTata. L. collected from north (48°N) to south (38°N) on the Italian pt:ninaula. Dormancy was measured at Perugia (43°O5'N) on 60 plant.'i for each population. The percentage of summer-dormant plants was negatively correlated with the mean score for summer growth (r = -0.75**). The results distinguish three main groups of populations with increasing levels of summer dormancy namely, northern, central, and southern. Winter growth and greenness were negatively correlated with summer growth (r = -0.80*•). Among Italian populations of Dactylis glomerata L., variability for dormancy, both in summer and winter, is so high that breeding of adapted varieties with the desired growth rhythm should not be difficult.

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Summer Dormancy in Italian Populations of Dactylis glomerata L.

Mediterranean types of perennial grasses are winter-growing and summer-dormant, while central and northern European types arc winter-dormant and aummer•growing. Dormancy severely limits the annual production and largely determines the seasonal distribution pattern of the perennial grass. Summer dormancy wa• studied in 81 Italian populations of Dac!)llit glomtTata. L. collected from north (48°N) to south (38°N) on the Italian pt:ninaula. Dormancy was measured at Perugia (43°O5'N) on 60 plant.'i for each population. The percentage of summer-dormant plants was negatively correlated with the mean score for summer growth (r = -0.75**). The results distinguish three main groups of populations with increasing levels of summer dormancy namely, northern, central, and southern. Winter growth and greenness were negatively correlated with summer growth (r = -0.80*•). Among Italian populations of Dactylis glomerata L., variability for dormancy, both in summer and winter, is so high that breeding of adapted varieties with the desired growth rhythm should not be difficult.