Publication Date
1989
Description
Improvement of pasture growth during winter and early spring in temperate regions has been a major goal of many grass breeding programmes. Improvements have been made by selecting for increased yield in early spring, although the basis of these yield improvements is poorly understood. The increase, measured as vegetative components of yield, has been interpreted as improved efficiency of growth at low temperatures. However, there is evidence that increased grass growth rates during late winter and early spring are associated with reproductive development (Kemp, 1985, 1988). In this paper we review physiological evidence for growth differences between genotypes during winter and early spring, and suggest a procedure for selecting better genotypes.
Citation
Kemp, D R.; Humphreys, M O.; and Eagles, C F., "Improvement of Winter, Early Spring Growth in Temperate Pasture Grasses" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 39.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session3b/39
Included in
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Improvement of Winter, Early Spring Growth in Temperate Pasture Grasses
Improvement of pasture growth during winter and early spring in temperate regions has been a major goal of many grass breeding programmes. Improvements have been made by selecting for increased yield in early spring, although the basis of these yield improvements is poorly understood. The increase, measured as vegetative components of yield, has been interpreted as improved efficiency of growth at low temperatures. However, there is evidence that increased grass growth rates during late winter and early spring are associated with reproductive development (Kemp, 1985, 1988). In this paper we review physiological evidence for growth differences between genotypes during winter and early spring, and suggest a procedure for selecting better genotypes.
