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A Method for Detecting Genetic Variability for Grass Tetany Potential in Tall Fescue¹

Seedlings of ‘Kentucky 31’ and open-pollinated progeny from three genetically diverse tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) clones were screened for Mg and K concentrations at 2% and 21% rhizosphere 0₂ in sand cultures. Using six watertight and airtight boxes, 15 x 9 X 30 cm, filled with washed sand, 27 seedlings of each entry were grown in three replications at low (2%) and high (21%) rhizosphere 0₂ in the greenhouse. Magnesium uptake of tall fescue was reduced at low (2%) rhizosphere 0₂. Seedlings grown at 2% 0₂ ranged from 0.13 to 0.36% Mg and from 1.4 to 3.3% K. Both Mg and K concentrations were lower at 2% 0₂ than at 21% 0₂. Eight genotypes selected to represent a range in Mg and K levels at low 0₂ were grown past the seedling stage, vegetatively propagated into a soil culture, and evaluated for Mg and K at 2 and 21% rhizosphere 0₂. A genotype selected for high Mg concentration at low 0₂ remained high in Mg at both low and high 0₂ in soil during a subsequent experiment. Low Mg genotypes remained low in Mg when grown in soil. All K levels were very high when older tissue was evaluated in soil. If plants with high Mg and low K can be identified and if the characteristic is heritable, tall fescue with low grass tetany potential could be developed.

Key Words: Festuca arundinance • Hypomagnesemia

² Assistant professor, Auburn Univ., soil scientists, USDA, Auburn, and professor, Auburn Univ., Auburn, AL, respectively.

Received for publication July 23, 1977.