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Genetic Variation for Perloline, N, and Digestibility in Tall Fescue 1
Author(s) -
Watson C. E.,
Frakes R. V.,
Chilcote D. O.,
Sleper D. A.,
Matches A. G.
Publication year - 1978
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 - 10.2135/cropsci1978.0011183x001800030025x
Subject(s) - biology , diallel cross , zoology , genetic variation , festuca , population , agronomy , genotype , botany , veterinary medicine , horticulture , poaceae , hybrid , genetics , gene , demography , sociology , medicine
Fifteen single‐crosses of a six‐parent diallel of tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacae , Schreb.) were evaluated for perloline concentration, N content, and in vitro digestibility. The crosses were planted at Corvallis, Oregon, and Columbia, Missouri, and harvested on 8 Apr. and 22 Sept. 1975 at Corvallis and on 16 Oct. 1975 at Columbia. The data were analyzed as two experiments. Experiment I consisted of the two harvests at Corvallis and experiment II consisted of the harvests of 22 September at Corvallis and 16 October at Columbia. Both experiments were analyzed for perloline concentration and N content, but only experiment II was analyzed for in vitro digestibility. General (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant sources of variation for perloline concentration. SCA indicated some nonadditive gene action for perloline concentration. There were differences between environments as well as genotype ✕ environment interactions in both experiments. GCA was a significant source of variation for nitrogen content in each experiment. However, environmental differences were larger than genetic differences. No differences were found among the crosses for in vitro digestibility, but there was a rather large difference between the two locations. It appeared that digestibility could be improved more by management than by selection in this population.