<Emphasis Type="Italic">Epichloë</Emphasis> endophyte and plant genotype determine seed production through self-pollination in tall fescue

Fitness in tall fescue could be determined as the relative seed production by overcoming self-incompatibility barriers. This study was an attempt to investigate the effects of plant genotype and symbiotic fungal endophyte on seed production and associated traits in tall fescue. Fifteen clones of tall fescue free from endophyte and two clones with both endophyte-infected (E+) and non-infected (E?) counterparts were evaluated under two pollination systems of natural open-pollination and obligate self-pollination. Although seed yield was depressed by self-pollination in all E? genotypes, some genotypes exhibited reasonable selfing ratio. However, endophyte infection was much more effective to increase selfing ratio and seed yield through self-pollination particularly in the genotype 75B. Endophyte infection almost removed self-incompatibilty in the host plants and on average resulted in 3.0 times more number of seeds per self-pollinated seedheads than the non-counterpart E? tall fescue genotypes. Although it may need more elaborated studies, incorporating Epichloë fungal endophyte in plant genotypes not only may make the inbreeding in tall fescue possible but also may improve forage yield and seed production, simultaneously.     

Clonal evaluation for increased seed production in two species of forage grasses,Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Phleum pratense L.

Summary A study was made of the seed production characters of replicated single plants of two Aberystwyth varieties, S.170 tall fescue and S.48 timothy, and estimates were made of the total genetic variation and the heritability of each character. Six-plant selections were made from each of the two varieties, and performance trials indicated that seed yield had been increased by 20% in tall fescue and 47% in timothy. As indicated by the measurements on single plants, increases in seed weight per inflorescence were almost wholly responsible for the increase in seed yield, with the number of inflorescences remaining unaltered in the two new selections. The mean inflorescence size of both selections was similar to that of the two varieties, but floret fertility and 1000-seed weight were significantly increased. In S.48 timothy there was also an improvement in the facility with which seed could be threshed from the mature inflorescence.     

Identification of cultivars and accessions of Lolium, Festuca and Festulolium hybrids through the detection of simple sequence repeat polymorphism

Molecular diversity and genetic affinity in the Lolium/Festuca grass complex have been assessed using simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker technology. The genotypic set was derived from three accessions of perennial ryegrass, two cultivars of Italian ryegrass, two cultivars of meadow fescue, two cultivars of tall fescue and 10 accessions from different intergeneric hybrid (Festulolium) combinations. The majority of the genomic DNA‐derived SSR primer pairs from perennial ryegrass (LPSSR) and Italian ryegrass (LMSSR) produced clear, simple and distinctive amplification products from the majority of the genotypes. The efficiency of cross‐specific amplification for LPSSR markers varied from 38% in meadow fescue to 93% in two cultivars of Festulolium and from 57% in meadow fescue to 87% in Italian ryegrass for LMSSR markers. Of 40 amplified markers, 14 (35%) produced species‐difference alleles in the relation to cultivars used in the present study. Thirty‐five LPSSR locus‐derived alleles were found to be specific to Lolium species, four to meadow fescue and six to tall fescue. For LMSSR alleles, eight were specific to Lolium species and five were only associated with Italian ryegrass, and null alleles were detected for meadow fescue in all instances. These species‐difference markers could clearly identify different accessions of Festulolium. Cluster analysis separated the individual taxa and showed grouping of intergeneric hybrids based on genomic composition. The data distinguished between the species and reflected the known pedigree of the cultivars and the differences between the species. The dendrogram also distinguished between the Festulolium accessions and clearly demonstrated the relations between Festulolium hybrids and their parent species.     

Induction of Generative Development of Winter Rape (Brassica napus L. var. oleifera) in Relation to Vernalization Conditions and Age of Vernalized Plants

Germinating seeds and young winter rape plants were vernalized 56–63 days at 5 or 2°C under nine-hour days or in darkness. The highest percentage of generative plants and the most rapid flowering were obtained following the vernalization of young seedlings and germinating seed under conditions of nine-hour day, at 5°C. The least effective induction of generative development followed the vernalization at 2°C in continuous darkness. The vegetation period from the end of vernalization till the beginning of flowering was the shortest when four-week-old plants were vernalized under conditions of nine-hour day, yet the vegetation period from the beginning of germination to flowering was the shortest when seed germinating under conditions of nine-hour day were vernalized. The period was extending as older plants were being vernalized. Data indicating that the optimal temperature for vernalization of older plants is higher than for germinating seed and young seedlings were obtained.     

Endophyte Infection May Affect the Competitive Ability of Tall Fescue Grown with Red Clover

Cool-season grasses infected with Neotyphodium endophytes may be more persistent and competitive than non-infected plants. In a greenhouse experiment, two tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) cloned genotypes (DN2 and DN11) with different growth characteristics and endophyte status (E−, non-infected; E+, infected) were grown in monocultures and in full competition with red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) cv. Reddy Red for 20 weeks. When grown in monoculture, endophyte infection reduced the root dry matter (DM) of DN2 (16 %) and DN11 (5 %) when compared to E− plants, while shoot DM was not affected. In full competition with red clover, root and shoot DM of tall fescue were not influenced by endophytes, but cumulative herbage DM yield was less in E+ than in E− plants. Root growth of red clover was significantly depressed (22 %) in competition with E+ plants of DN2 compared to E− plants, but was not affected when plants were grown in competition with DN11. The relative yield total (RYT) did not differ from 1.0 in red clover mixtures with E− plants of DN2 and DN11, and with E+ plants of DN11, indicating competition between the competitors for the same resources. In contrast, RYT was less than 1.0 in the red clover/DN2 E+ mixture, suggesting a negative interaction between the competitors. Endophyte infection increased the competitive ability of DN2 but reduced that of DN11 when compared to E− plants. Because the concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in roots of E+ plants of DN2 was twice that found in roots of DN11 (1083 and 536 μg g⁻¹, respectively), we suggest that pyrrolizidine alkaloids might influence the competitive ability of some endophyte–tall fescue associations through a possible allelopathic effect on companion species.     

The vernalization of some leguminous plants,especially of hairy vetches

Summary It has been shown, especially in the species Vicia villosa, that youth development and seed production of plants can be furthered by vernalization. The method led to the selection of plants with an abundant vegetative development and was applied in the seed production of hairy vetches. Moreover, experiments on the relation between vernalization and photoperiodism have been discussed.

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Institute of Agrobiology, University Greifswald     

The Endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum Affects Root Morphology of Tall Fescue Grown under Phosphorus Deficiency

Mechanisms involved in mineral stress tolerance of cool-season grasses infected by Neotyphodium spp. endophytes are not known. In a controlled-environment experiment, two genotypes (DN2 and DN4) of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infected (E+) with their naturally occurring strains of N. coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin, and their non-infected (E−) isolines were cultivated in nutrient solution at two phosphorus (P) levels of 31 mg P dm⁻³ (P+) and 0.31 mg P dm⁻³ (P−) for 3 weeks. Diameters of lateral roots, root hair length, and distance between root hairs were recorded using a digital image analysis system (Dage 72S CCD camera controlled by a Power MacIntosh 7200/120PC compatible computer equipped with an AG-5 frame grabber board and NIH-Image). Irrespective of tall fescue genotype and P level in nutrient solution, E+ plants had roots with a smaller diameter (16 %) than E− plants. In response to P deficiency, root diameter of E+ plants declined by 11 % and root hair length increased by 17 % when compared to E− plants. Altered root diameter and root hair length might be one of the mineral stress tolerance mechanisms in endophyte-infected tall fescue.     

Genetic Diversity in Tall Fescue Ecotypes from Alabama I. Maturity, Morphological Traits, and Disease Reaction

There is a large hectarage of tall fescue in Alabama. Recognition of the deleterious effects of the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum has resulted in substantial acceptance of new endophyte-free cultivars. Destruction of old pastures and the concomitant loss of potentially valuable adapted germplasm could be a valid cause for concern. The objectives of this study were to evaluate genetic variation for maturity and plant morphological traits, both among and within tall fescue cv. ‘Kentucky 31’ populations from 18 to 38 year-old pastures in Alabama. Ten populations of approximately 50 plants each were collected from old Alabama tall fescue pastures. Two pastures were sampled in each of five counties, representing the five major land use areas of the state. In 1990, spaced plants of all populations were evaluated at heading time for maturity, morphological, and disease traits at two locations in central Alabama. Endophyte infection level of the populations ranged from 2 to 100 %. Maturity was highly correlated with tiller length and flag leaf width and was used as a covariate for these traits in the analysis of variance. Leaf rust and net blotch ratings were negatively correlated. Significant variation among populations was observed for maturity and flag leaf dimensions, most variation being due to differences among source counties. Significant variation was observed within all populations for maturity and morphological traits, but only in seven populations for leaf rust. No within-population variation was detected for net blotch. The average precipitation for the month of May explained 81 % of the variation among populations for maturity. Age of the pasture sampled had a significant effect on tiller diameter (r²= 0.55), and latitude of the pasture sampled was the best individual predictor of leaf width (r²= 0.42). This study reveals that considerable genetic diversity, largely influenced by climatic conditions, exists among ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue ecotypes from Alabama.     

3种混播草坪外观质量比较研究

为确定昆明地区混播绿地草坪的适宜组合,本研究采用“NTEP九分制”法对昆明地区3组（组合1：70%高羊茅+20%草地早熟禾+10%多年生黑麦草;组合2：50%高羊茅+40%草地早熟禾+10%多年生黑麦草;组合3：30%高羊茅+60%草地早熟禾+10%多年生黑麦草）混播绿地草坪进行外观质量评价。结果表明组合3草坪得分最高(6.97),综合分析认为以草地早熟禾为建群种,高羊茅为伴生种,多年生黑麦草为先锋草种的混播搭配所建植的绿地草坪质量较好,适宜在昆明地区建坪使用。     

Inflorescence production in an amphiploid between Lolium multiflorum (2n=28) and Festuca arundinacea (2n=84)

Summary The flowering characteristics of an amphiploid Lolium multiflorum (2n=28)× Festuca arundinacea (2n=84) have been compared with those of the parental species under field and glasshouse conditions. In field drills the number of inflorescences produced by an unselected amphiploid population was markedly less than that produced by S.170 tall fescue and S.22 Italian ryegrass. Experiments to determine the requirements for floral induction in the amphiploid showed that they were intermediate between those of the two parents. There was no indication that the hybrid was not becoming induced under field conditions and it is concluded that the competitive condition in field drills was preventing floral initiation and development. A comparison of seed from third and fourth generation stock suggested that additional multiplication through a number of generations, and subsequently growing the derived basic seed at high nitrogen levels would improve inflorescence production in the amphiploid.     

NaCl对高羊茅萌发的胁迫效应研究

通过室内模拟盐胁迫对高羊茅不同品种萌发的胁迫效应研究,揭示单盐对牧草、草坪草种子萌发活力的影响和萌发盐分临界值,以期为盐碱地改良和优良牧草的引选提供依据;用不同浓度NaCl作为高羊茅萌发培养液,通过测定相对发芽率并对其进行回归分析;结果表明,NaCl盐胁迫对高羊茅种子的萌发有抑制作用,且在0～0.6%的低盐浓度范围内抑制作用不明显,NaCl盐浓度高于0.6%时抑制作用显著;0.4%、0.6%、1.2%的NaCl浓度是高羊茅相对发芽率变化的几个"拐点"(即敏感点);高羊茅相对发芽率与盐浓度呈极显著负相关,Y=101.75-47.371 x,r=-0.98;14个品种中萌发期较耐盐的品种有佛浪、爆发力和翠碧A,火凤凰、交战2和火凰RT耐盐性较差;高羊茅萌发阶段进行耐盐性评价时,相对发芽率和耐盐半致死浓度是很好的萌发能力的鉴定指标,可以作为种子耐盐能力评价指标,但耐盐致死浓度不宜作鉴定指标.     

Independent selection for seed free tryptophan content and vernalization response in chickpea domestication

Chickpea shows a distinct domestication trajectory vis‐a‐vis pod dehiscence and growth cycle mediated by vernalization insensitivity compared with its companion Near Eastern legumes. Our objectives were: (i) to map the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with vernalization response and seed free tryptophan in domesticated × wild chickpea progeny and (ii) estimate the genetic correlation between vernalization response and free tryptophan content. A domesticated × wild chickpea cross was used to document phenotypic segregation in both traits and to construct a skeletal genetic map for QTL detection. A number of vernalization response and seed free tryptophan content QTLs were documented in both F₂ and F₃ generations. No significant genetic correlation between these two traits was observed. Epistatic relationship between two free tryptophan loci was documented. It is evident that selection for high seed tryptophan is easier to accomplish relative to selection for vernalization insensitivity. This suggests that the two traits were selected independently in antiquity, thereby corroborating earlier claims for conscious selection processes associated with chickpea domestication.     

Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on Days to Flowering, Yield and Yield Components of Lupinus albus (L.) under Field Conditions

A better understanding of the agronomic importance of planting date and the influence of cold temperatures and photoperiod during germination and plant growth may lead to better management strategies for cultivation of the sweet white lupin (Lupinus albus). The effects of planting date (temperature and photoperiod) were determined on the number of days to flowering, yield and yield components of four early to medium and one late sweet white lupin genotype in a field trial at Potchefstroom, South Africa, planted during February 1996 to January 1997. Moisture stress was avoided through regular irrigation. Duration of the developmental phases planting date to emergence, emergence to floral initiation, initiation to first flower, duration of flower and days to physiological and harvest maturity was related to field measurements of temperature and photoperiod. Differences in the main determinants of yield, i.e. seeds per pod, pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM), plant and pod height and yield, were measured. Results showed that both temperature and photoperiod influence the growth and development of the Lupinus albus genotypes ‘Esta’, ‘Hantie’, ‘Tifwhite’, ‘Kiev’ and ‘LAL 186’. Temperature influences include the effect of vernalization at seedling emergence. Minimum grass temperatures under 5 °C at emergence are effective for vernalization. However, after grass temperatures at emergence increased again from June to December, to gether with an increase in the photoperiod length, ‘Tifwhite’ as well as the other genotypes still flowered earlier, confirming that these cultivars are long‐day plants, which is in accordance with controlled‐environment data. Cool vernalizing temperatures thus not only influence obligate vernalization requiring genotypes such as ‘Tifwhite’, but also influence the non‐obligate genotypes studied. Plan‐ting date had a significant influence on pods per plant, single seed mass (SSM) and seed yield. In all trials laterplanting, from June to November, decreased SSM and seed yield. The highest seed yield of 1.5 t ha^?1 was obtained for the 10 June planting date and the lowest average yield of 0.450 t ha^?1 for the 5 November planting date.     

Tall fescue forage mass in a grass-legume mixture: predicted efficiency of indirect selection

High fertilizer prices and improved environmental stewardship have increased interest in grass-legume mixed pastures. It has been hypothesized, but not validated, that the ecological combining ability between grasses and legumes can be improved by breeding specifically for mixture performance. This experiment examined the predicted efficiency of selection in a grass monoculture environment to indirectly improve tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.) forage mass in a grass-legume mixture. Heritability, genetic and rank correlations, and selection efficiencies were estimated for forage mass in a tall fescue half-sib population grown as spaced-plants overseeded with either turf-type tall fescue (monoculture) or alfalfa (mixture). Heritability for tall fescue forage mass in monoculture ranged from 0.32 to 0.70 and were always similar or greater than those in mixture (range 0.27–0.55) for four successive harvests and annual total. Genetic correlations between monoculture and mixture tall fescue forage mass varied with values of 0.48, 0.92, ?0.31, 0.70, and 0.25 in June, July, August, October, and annual total, respectively. Indirect selection efficiencies exceeded or approached direct selection for mixtures only in July and October (1.29, and 0.73, respectively). Whereas, indirect selection efficiencies were low in June, August, and annual forage mass (0.58, ?0.31, and 0.28, respectively). Moreover, low Spearman’s rank correlations (?0.03 to 0.35) indicated differing half-sib family performance between the monoculture and mixture environments. Results indicate that direct selection should be used to improve tall fescue forage mass in a grass-legume mixture, and support the hypothesis of increasing ecological combining ability by breeding for mixtures per se.     

高羊茅草坪草生长发育与抗逆效应研究进展

摘 要：高羊茅属于多年生冷季型草坪草,具有较强抗性和适应性,在我国广泛栽培应用。本研究综述了高羊茅国内外研究进展,主要从高羊茅生长发育、栽培技术、抗性效应等方面阐述,并对其发展趋势进行展望,旨在为高羊茅的深化研究与合理利用提供参考。     

Impact of Phosphorus from Dairy Manure and Commercial Fertilizer on Perennial Grass Forage Production

Increased recovery and recycling of manure phosphorus (P) by crops on dairy farms is needed to minimize environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to compare P utilization by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.) from dairy manure or inorganic fertilizer. The study was conducted from 1994 to 2000 at the Cornell University Baker Farm, Willsboro, NY, on a somewhat poorly drained Kingsbury clay (very–fine, illitic, mesic Aeric Epiaqualfs). The design was a split‐plot in a randomized complete block with two manure rates (16 800 and 33 600 kg ha^?1) and one nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate (84 kg N ha^?1 at spring greenup and 56 kg N ha^?1 prior to each regrowth harvest) as the main plots and grass species as subplots replicated six times. Fertilizer P [Ca(H₂PO₄)₂] was applied to the fertilizer treatment in 1995 and 1996 at 11 kg P ha^?1 year^?1. Orchardgrass P removal averaged 21 % higher than tall fescue P removal for the spring harvest, but orchardgrass averaged 24 % lower P removal than tall fescue removal for all regrowth harvests from 1995–99. Phosphorus herbage concentration in the fertilizer treatment was in the range of 1.9–2.7 g P kg^?1 compared with 2.2–5.3 g P kg^?1 in the manure treatments. Seasonal P removal ranged from as low as 9.2 kg P ha^?1 to as high as 48.5 kg P ha^?1. Morgan extractable soil P in the top 0–0.20 m remained high through 1999, with 29.1 kg P ha^?1 at the highest manure rate in tall fescue compared with 8.4 kg P ha^?1 measured in 1993 prior to the experiment. In 2000, soil P at the highest manure rate in tall fescue dropped to 10.1 kg P ha^?1, following cessation of manure application in 1998. Intensively managed harvested orchardgrass and tall fescue have the potential to remove large quantities of manure P.     

高羊茅光周期调控基因CONSTANS的克隆与分析

本研究以坪用型"黔草1号"高羊茅为实验材料,基于多年生黑麦草CONSTANS(CO)基因序列设计引物,利用3'RACE和5'RACE方法扩增CO基因。结果表明,从高羊茅中分离出CO基因,命名为FaCON-STANS。经序列分析,cDNA全长1557bp,编码376个氨基酸,具有完整的开放阅读框(ORF,166～1296bp),氨基端具有B-box型锌指结构域,碳端具有CCT(CO,CO-like,TOC1)结构域。进一步的同源性分析表明,Fa-CONSTANS蛋白与禾本科植物的CO蛋白亲缘关系较近,与其它植物的亲缘关系较远。     

Cytological and Isozyme Evaluation of Tall Fescue × Italian Ryegrass Hybrids

Development of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb., 2n = 6x - 42) × Italian rye-grass (Lolium multiflorum Lam., 2n = 2 ×= 14) hybrids would enhance efforts to improve the quality of tall fescue. Two ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue בLemtal Italian ryegrass hybrids were obtained via embryo rescue on MS media containing casein hydrolysate, ascorbic acid and sucrose. Chromosome pairing at metaphase I had an average of more than 12 bivalents per cell. Since Festuca-Lolium pairing can account only for seven of the paired chromosomes, intergenomic as well as interspecific chromosome pairing is indicated. There was no cytoplasmic effect on chromosome pairing. To determine if enzymes could be used as genetic markers for distinguishing hybrids from self-contaminants in crosses, zymograms of PGI, 6-PGD, MDH, GOT and ACPH were obtained from parents and hybrids using starch gel etectrophoresis. PGI, 6-PGD and MDH had fewer bands in the diploid ryegrass, as compared with the hexaploid tall fescue and the tetraploid hybrid.     

Production and field performance of transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) expressing alpha-amylase and manganese-dependent lignin peroxidase

Summary Transgenic alfalfa plants expressinBacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase and mangaese-dependent lignin peroxidase (Mn-P) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium were produced using the Agrobacterium tumefaciens transformation system. In each case, there was a range of expression of the introduced gene among independent transgenic plants. Plants producing alpha-amylase showed no alteration of phenotype. Production of Mn-P in alfalfa, howeven, in most cases adversely affected plant growth and development. Affected plants were stunted with yellowing foliage, but survived and produced seed. Results from field trials showed that Mn-P production in transgenic alfalfa reduced dry matter yield and plant height. The extent of these symptoms and yield reduction was, for the most part, related to the level of foreign protein production as estimated by Western analysis. Field data from transgenic plants expressing alpha-amylase showed that there was no effect of foreign protein production on plant performance. Expression of Mn-P was shown to segregate in sexual progeny derived from transgenic plants.Abbreviations Mn-P manganese-dependent lignin peroxidase     

Vernalization response of domesticated × wild chickpea progeny is subject to strong genotype by environment interaction

Vernalization insensitivity is a key feature of domesticated chickpea, and its genetic basis is not well understood. We studied vernalization response among hybrid progeny derived from two domesticated × wild crosses. The wild parents are vernalization‐sensitive, late‐flowering genotypes while both domesticated parents are vernalization insensitive. Parental lines and hybrid progeny were tested with (28 days at 4°C) and without vernalization (control). The difference in mean days to flower (?DTF) between control and vernalization treatments was used to assess the flowering vernalization response. A wide range of ?DTF values was observed among the hybrid progeny. Strong genotype by environment interaction effect on ?DTF was observed for the parental accessions and hybrid progeny. We used the ?DTF values to select vernalization responsive and non‐responsive progeny lines. However, the genotype × environment interaction strongly interfered with our selection. Chickpea breeders interested in using the wild progenitor as a donor of exotic traits should be aware of the possibility of introducing vernalization response alleles that may alter the phenology of their breeding materials in an unpredictable manner.