Rhodes grass breeding in Kenya II. Clonal evaluation for seed yield within maturity classes of two varieties

Summary A study was made over three seasons of seed yield characters in replicated genotypes of two maturity classes selected from within both Mbarara and Masaba Rhodes.Within maturity classes significant 2–4 fold ranges were observed in PGS (pure germinating seed) yield. The component most responsible for this increase was seed setting. Significant differences were also observed in seed retention, 1000-seed weight, head number and the number and length of racemes.Even though heading date, within a maturity class of a variety did not vary more than 10 days, differences were significant and the early-heading plants were the most productive in seed yield characters.Heritability estimates, based on individual plants, ranged from less than 0.10 for % PGS to over 0.30 for 1000-seed weight and raceme characters.