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Breeding and development of seeded turf-type buffalograss

Charles Andrew Rodgers, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

Two research projects were initiated with the objective of improving establishment characteristics for seeded turf-type buffalograsses. Buffalograss can be difficult to establish from seed due to poor germination of buffalograss burs, and a lack of seedling vigor. Heavier caryopses in buffalograss have been shown to result in more vigorous seedlings. The objective of the first project was to determine the heritability of caryopsis weight in two Nebraska synthetic turf-type buffalograsses, and to determine the influence of selection for caryopsis weight on other traits. The objective of the second research project was to develop a single cross seeded buffalograss cultivar that possessed desirable turf and agronomic traits, as well as improved germination of buffalograss burs. Two Nebraska synthetics, NE-501 and NE-503, were chosen for estimating heritability of caryopsis weight. In 1994, space planted nurseries were started from caryopses which had been mechanically screened into large, and small caryopsis size categories. A nursery was also started from caryopses upon which no selection was placed. Caryopses were harvested on an individual plant basis from the nurseries, and in 1995 replicated half sib families were planted in a blocks in replications design. Heritability estimates were made for caryopsis weight based on components of variance, maternal parent offspring regression, and reaized heritabilities for both heavy and light caryopsis weight. Caryopsis weight had the highest heritability of all traits measured. Realized heritability for heavy caryopsis weight was 0.59 $\pm$ 0.13 and 0.42 $\pm$ 0.11 for NE-501 and NE-503, respectively. Caryopsis weight was increased 12.7 and 18.4% in NE-501 and NE-503, respectively, after two cycles of selection. For development of a single cross buffalograss cultivar with improved germination, thirty female clones were planted in isolation with a single male clone, NE 84-45-3, in a randomized complete block design. Seed production characteristics were measured for two years in the field, as well as a germination test conducted on burs and caryopses of twenty-one of the maternal genotypes. Five female clones, 91-154, 91-352, 93-174, 93-189, and 93-191 possessed desirable agronomic seed production characteristics, as well as adequate germination of buffalograss burs. In 1996 progeny of twenty-two of the single crosses will be evaluated in replicated turf trials to identify crosses which produce desirable turf.

Subject Area

Agronomy|Genetics

Recommended Citation

Rodgers, Charles Andrew, "Breeding and development of seeded turf-type buffalograss" (1996). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9703789.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9703789

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