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Variability of In Vitro Dry Matter Digestion in Diallel and Polycross Progenies of Intermediate Wheatgrass¹

Variation in height, seed set, and in vitro dry matter digestion (IVDMD) within a diallel and a polycross nursery of intermediate wheatgrass, Agropyron intermedium (Host) Beauv., were studied. Significant differences in IVDMD of whole tillers occurred among diallel crosses, but did not occur among polycrosses, indicating greater precision of measurement in the diallel. Differences among diallel crosses for plant fraction (flag leaf, peduncle, and spike) IVDMD were also significant. Digestibility of the peduncle contributed the greatest effect to whole tiller digestibility. It was concluded, however, that digestibility of the upper part of the plant could not be used as an indicator of whole tiller digestibility. Correlations of height, seed weight for 10 heads, and seed set with IVDMD were low. Significant general combining ability, specific combining ability, and reciprocal effects were found for each character. General combining ability estimates were highest in one parent for almost all characters investigated. Since additive genetic effects were predominant, the variability within the diallel cross population should allow success in selection of a superior cultivar for the characters studied

Key Words: General combining ability • Specific combining ability • Reciprocal effects • Height • Seed set • Agropyron intermedium

² Former assistant in and professor of plant science, S. Dak. State U., Brookings, SD 57006 and former graduate assistant, Agron. Dep., Pa. State U., University Park, PA 16802.

Received for publication August 5, 1974.