HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) An erratum has been published Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Acuña, C. A. Articles by Hanna, W. W. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Acuña, C. A. Articles by Hanna, W. W. Agricola Articles by Acuña, C. A. Articles by Hanna, W. W. Related Collections Germplasm Enhancement Crop Cytology Crop Genetics

PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES

Bahiagrass Tetraploid Germplasm: Reproductive and Agronomic Characterization of Segregating Progeny

^a P.O. Box 110500, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville
^b North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL 32446-7906
^c P.O. Box 748, Univ. of Georgia, Tifton, GA 31793

^* Corresponding author (caalac{at}ufl.edu).

The tetraploid germplasm of bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flüggé, is an unexploited source of variability that can be used for the genetic improvement of this species as forage or turf. The objectives of this research were to develop a segregating population by hybridizing induced sexual and apomictic clones and to characterize the resulting population for mode of reproduction, seed fertility, growth habit, seasonal growth pattern, and frost resistance. A population of 591 hybrids had a 4:1 ratio between sexual and apomictic (facultative + obligate apomictic) plants and an 8:1 ratio between others (facultative apomictic + sexual) and obligate apomictic plants. The general fertility of the progeny was higher than that of the induced sexual parents. Significant differences were observed for self- and cross-fertility among apomictic progeny and for self-fertility among sexual progeny. Most sexual progeny set the same amount of seed when self- or cross- pollinated, indicating an absence of self-incompatibility. Marked variation was observed for growth habit, seasonal growth patterns, and frost resistance among the progeny. Heritability estimates obtained for these characteristics indicate that selection can be successfully used for the genetic improvement of this species.