Heritability Estimates of Turf-type Characteristics in Buffalograss

Authors

S.J. Browning, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terrance P. Riordan, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Rodger K. Johnson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Julie Johnson-Cicalese, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1994

Citation

HORTSCIENCE 29(3):204-205. 1994

Comments

Copyright 1994 American Society for Horticultural Science. Used by Permission.

Abstract

Buffalograss [Buchloë dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm] is a drought-resistant, dioecious species, native to the Central Great Plains, which shows excellent potential as a low maintenance turfgrass. Although buffalograss can be propagated vegetatively, there is a need for seeded turf-type cultivars. To assist in developing seeded cultivars, heritabilities of turf characteristics were estimated. Heritabilities from maternal half-sib analyses ranged from h² = 0.04 ± 0.03 for the 1988 uniformity rating to h² = 0.62 ± 0.26 for the 1989 spring color rating. Heritability estimates calculated from offspring-parent regression were also variable and generally lower than maternal half-sib analysis. The results suggest that some turf characteristics are highly heritable and that growing conditions markedly affect heritability estimates.