Publication Date

1985

Location

Kyoto Japan

Description

The USDA-ARS at Logan, Utah has developed breeding populations from hybrids between quackgrass [Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski] and several range grasses of the tribe Triticeae. The most promising of these is the quackgrass X bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Love] hybrid (designated RS). The RS hybrid was only partially fertile, meiotically irregular, and of limited agronomic merit in the F1 generation. However, after eight generations of selection, it is as fertile as the parental species and has responded in a positive manner to selection pressure for degree of rhizome development, forage yield, vegetative vigor, and plant type. It is adapted to areas receiving from 300 to 450 mm of annual precipitation with moderate amounts of soil salinity. The sterile F1 hybrid between quackgrass and Fairway crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner] has excellent vigor and has demonstrated potential for revegetation of disturbed semiarid sites or other areas that could be established through vegetation propagation.

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Improvement of Range Grasses through Interspecific Hybridization with Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens L. Neveski)

Kyoto Japan

The USDA-ARS at Logan, Utah has developed breeding populations from hybrids between quackgrass [Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski] and several range grasses of the tribe Triticeae. The most promising of these is the quackgrass X bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) Love] hybrid (designated RS). The RS hybrid was only partially fertile, meiotically irregular, and of limited agronomic merit in the F1 generation. However, after eight generations of selection, it is as fertile as the parental species and has responded in a positive manner to selection pressure for degree of rhizome development, forage yield, vegetative vigor, and plant type. It is adapted to areas receiving from 300 to 450 mm of annual precipitation with moderate amounts of soil salinity. The sterile F1 hybrid between quackgrass and Fairway crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertner] has excellent vigor and has demonstrated potential for revegetation of disturbed semiarid sites or other areas that could be established through vegetation propagation.