Comparing Juvenile Development of Perennial Ryegrass, Meadow Fescue and Different Hybrid Generations

Abstract

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds., Fp) is well adapted to various biotic and abiotic stresses and has a high nutritional value. Unfortunately, meadow fescue is not sufficiently competitive in mixed stand with the major forage grass perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., Lp) since the intensity of grassland cultivation has increased. Main disadvantages of Fp are its slow juvenile development and low formation of side shoots. To broaden the genetic diversity of meadow fescue, individuals of Fp and Lp were hybridized and the F₁ (Festulolium) was backcrossed (BC) to Fp. The BC seeds were used in an experiment on juvenile development. In the first experiment, a method to measure the juvenile development by assessing three major traits was examined on 13 Lp and 7 Fp varieties. No clear and significant differences for the three traits were found between the two species as intraspecies variation was high, but in general Lp varieties emerged faster and tillering started earlier. In a second experiment the method was applied to seeds of 151 F₁ and BC₁ Festulolium hybrids. Hybrid plants (potential BC₁ and BC₂ plants) showing phenotypic similarity to Fp were selected. The best BC₁ and BC₂ plants were characterized by a satisfactory seed quality and a fast juvenile development. They represent valuable basic material for further forage grass breeding.