ISSN:
1573-5060
Keywords:
Digitaria eriantha
;
tropical grasses
;
seed production
;
spring growth
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Digitaria eriantha is a subtropical grass which is widely sown as a pasture species in South Africa and cultivars have recently been released in Australia. The species is variable in seed production and in other agronomic attributes. This paper describes a breeding program designed to combine the seed production of cv. Premier with the high productivity in winter-spring of an almost sterile genotype. Hybrids between the two accessions were either triploid and sterile, or diploid with low fertility. The F2 to F5 generations were selected intensively for fertility and, at two contrasting sites, for spring productivity, with both maternal and paternal selection. The F6 generation was grown as replicated swards and yield in spring, and fertility, were used for selection of elite F5 plants to comprise the parents of a new cultivar (cv. Advance). In evaluation trials, spring dry matter production of Advance averaged 40% higher than that of Premier. On average, seed production of Advance was 11% lower than that of Premier and botanical fertility was consistently about half that of Premier. Experimental yields of cleaned seed of Advance were up to 138 kg/ha. In commerce, seed yields of Advance are likely to be lower than those of Premier unless higher inflorescence densities than Premier can be achieved.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00029873
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