Publication Date

1993

Description

The objective of this study was to evaluate half-sib families of 30 plants each of Summer and Sunburst switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) from a divergent selection for forage yield components programme. Highly significant differences were found among families within each cullivar for blade weight, stem weight, sheath weight and blade-to-stem ratio (BSR) at anthesis. The family x year interaction was significant only for BSR for Summer. Highly significant differences were found nmong families from "high" and "low" parents for each of the 4 traits. Genetic variances were higher for Summer than Sunburst for 3 of the 4 traits. Phenotypic selection should be effective for modifying morphological traits related to forage quality in these 2 cultivars.

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Divergent Selection for Forage Yield Components in Switchgrass

The objective of this study was to evaluate half-sib families of 30 plants each of Summer and Sunburst switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) from a divergent selection for forage yield components programme. Highly significant differences were found among families within each cullivar for blade weight, stem weight, sheath weight and blade-to-stem ratio (BSR) at anthesis. The family x year interaction was significant only for BSR for Summer. Highly significant differences were found nmong families from "high" and "low" parents for each of the 4 traits. Genetic variances were higher for Summer than Sunburst for 3 of the 4 traits. Phenotypic selection should be effective for modifying morphological traits related to forage quality in these 2 cultivars.