Premium
Variations in vernalization requirements among ecotypes of F estuca hallii
Author(s) -
Palit R.,
Bai Y.,
Romo J.,
Coulman B.,
St Pierre R.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/gfs.12101
Subject(s) - vernalization , ecotype , phenology , biology , germination , forage , agronomy , horticulture , botany , photoperiodism
Plains rough fescue ( F estuca hallii [ V asey] P iper) is an important forage grass species in the N orthern G reat P lains of C anada. Its seed is in demand for forage production and habitat restoration, but erratic seed production limits supply. A comprehensive understanding of factors influencing flowering and seed production in this species is needed. This study evaluated the morphological and phenological variation among six ecotypes of F. hallii from S askatchewan and M anitoba. Seeds were germinated, and seedlings were grown in the field and then transplanted to a greenhouse in N ovember. Plants not flowering in the greenhouse were vernalized under 5°C and 8‐h light for 11 weeks. In a separate experiment, plants were subjected to temperature regimes of 15/5°C, 10/0°C and 5/−5°C with day‐length treatments of 12 h, 8 h and a gradually changing daylength from 12 to 8 h respectively. This study demonstrated the existence of considerable variation in morphological and phenological characteristics, and in growth and vernalization requirements among ecotypes of F . hallii . Vernalization requirements were not met for the ecotype from the M oist M ixed G rassland E coregion when it was grown under common conditions, whereas ecotypes from other ecoregions were vernalized in at least one of the 2 years in the field experiment. Northern ecotypes tended to flower earlier after artificial vernalization treatments. Overall, 15/5 to 5/−5°C d per night temperature regimes with photoperiods between 12 and 8 h were effective in inducing flowering. The seed source of F . hallii should be regarded as an important consideration affecting its use, both for habitat restoration and for forage production.