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Influence of photoperiod on the frequency of sexual embryo saes in facultative apomictic buffelgrass

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Summary

The frequency at which sexual embryo sacs occur in some facultatively apomictic species is influenced by photoperiod. This research was conducted to study changes in the frequency of sexual embryo sacs (SES) in field-grown accessions of buffelgrass [Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link] and to determine the influence of photoperiod on the expression of sexuality under controlled environmental conditions. In a 3-yr field study, mean frequency of SES collected from two facultative buffelgrass accessions (PI 409266 and 409277) ranged from 2.5 to 8.6 percent. Within each year, the greatest number of SES were observed during spring and summer, while a reduction in SES occurred during the late summer and early fall. Under controlled environmental conditions equal numbers of SES were observed from plants grown at 8, 12, and 16 h. For the two facultative accessions of buffelgrass examined in this study, it was concluded that no relationship existed between photoperiod and frequency of SES under either field or controlled environmental conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil & Crop Sciences Department, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Texas A&M University, 77843-2474, College Station, TX, USA

    M. A. Hussey & M. L. Dahmer

  2. USDA-ARS Southern Crops Research Laboratory, Soil & Crop Sciences Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2474, USA

    E. C. Bashaw & K. W. Hignight

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  1. M. A. Hussey
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  2. E. C. Bashaw
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  3. K. W. Hignight
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  4. M. L. Dahmer
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Hussey, M.A., Bashaw, E.C., Hignight, K.W. et al. Influence of photoperiod on the frequency of sexual embryo saes in facultative apomictic buffelgrass. Euphytica 54, 141–145 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039600

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00039600

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