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Floral Induction and Development in Festuca rubra L. — Differential Clonal Response to Environmental Conditions¹

Development of suitable procedures for production of inflorescence and subsequent seed production of red fescue, Festuca rubra L., under controlled conditions would facilitate earlier completion of breeding procedures and genetic tests. Two studies were conducted in 1970–71.

The first study was to determine the date of floral induction. Propagules from 15 clones were removed from the field every 14 days beginning October 28, 1970 through January 14, 1971, and grown under cool temperature and long photoperiods for 24 days to initiate floral primordia. They were then grown under warm temperature and long photoperiods for the production of inflorescence. Variation among clones in the required length of exposure to the field environment for floral induction was 30 days. By January 1 virtually all plants were induced. Days to heading decreased and number of panicles increased with increasing exposure to the field environment.

The second study was to determine the controlled temperature and photoperiod favorable for floral development after induction in the field. Twenty-four clones brought from the field on January 24 were placed under cool temperature and either normal daylight or continuous light for 28 days. They were then grown under controlled temperature and photoperiod regimes. Heading was earlier, number of panicles increased 17%, and number of seeds increased 45%, where the initial treatment was normal daylight. Number of panicles and seeds was greatest where the final treatment was normal daylight supplemented with 1 hour of light at midnight and 21 to 24 C. Biotypes within this species differed in their environmental requirements for floral production. By manipulating environmental conditions, we produced sufficient seed of good quality for experimental use during winter months in the greenhouse.

Key Words: Induction • Seed production • Temperature • Photoperiod

² Research Agronomist and Research Plant Geneticist, Turfgrass Laboratory, Plant Genetics and Germplasm Institute, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705, respectively.

³ Research Agronomist, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802 (formerly with Crops Research Division, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland).

Received for publication May 14, 1973.