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Recurrent selection for improved seed germination results in greater seedling growth potential
Author(s) -
Dhakal Kundan,
Springer Tim L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.1002/csc2.20182
Subject(s) - seedling , shoot , biology , germination , population , randomized block design , horticulture , biomass (ecology) , botany , agronomy , demography , sociology
Rapid seedling development increases the probability of stand establishment. This research investigated the seedling growth of three little bluestem [ Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] populations (NU‐1, UC‐2, and UO‐2), three selection generations (Recurrent Selection Cycles 0 [C 0 ], 1 [C 1 ], and 2 [C 2 ]), and four seedling ages (3‐, 4‐, 5‐, and 6‐wk‐old seedlings). Lines NU‐1 C 1 and NU‐1 C 2 were developed from NU‐1 C 0 using two cycles of recurrent selection for increased seed germination at a low water potential. Other lines were created similarly from UC‐2 C 0 and UO‐2 C 0 . The greenhouse experiment was a three‐by‐three‐by‐four factorial of population, generation, and age in a randomized complete block design replicated nine times and repeated twice. Root length, shoot height, and root and shoot biomass varied with population and generation, and shoot/root ratio varied with population ( P ≤ .01). Root length averaged 17.6 cm among populations and ranged from 16.4 cm for generation C 0 to 18.3 cm for C 2 . Shoot height averaged 7.0 cm among populations and ranged from 6.5 cm for generation C 0 to 8.3 cm for C 2 . Root biomass averaged 13.5 mg among populations and ranged from 11.3 mg for generation C 0 to 16.5 mg for C 2 . Shoot biomass averaged 13.0 mg among populations and ranged from 11.1 mg for generation C 0 to 15.8 mg for C 2 . Shoot/root ratio varied from 0.87 for population UC‐2 to 1.06 for NU‐1. Plant materials with rapid seedling growth should lead to better establishment and persistence.