ARS | Publication request: POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING SWITCHGRASS HYBRID CULTIVARS

Submitted to: Agronomy Journal
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 10, 1999
Publication Date: November 1, 1999
Citation: Vogel, K.P. 1999. Potential for developing switchgrass hybrid cultivars. Agronomy Journal.p.143.

Technical Abstract: Population hybrids and specific clonal hybrids of switchgrass, Panicum virgatum L., were made and evaluated for biomass heterosis in Eastern Nebraska. The results to date indicate that heterosis for biomass yields is exhibited by progeny of some population hybrids and specific hybrids of some populations. Results indicate that population hybrids can be used to oidentify heterotic groups or populations of plants that exhibit heterosis when hybridized. Within these groups specific genotypes exist that exhibit varying levels of heterosis. This would indicate that the steps to follow in developing a switchgrass hybrid breeding program would be to first make population hybrids in all combinations among the best cultivars or strains from divergent sources to identify heterotic groups and then identify superior genotypes within those populations. This is the same strategy that has been used to develop hybrids of other crops. The upland and lowland ecotypes represented by cultivars Summer and Kanlow, respectively, appear to represent distinct heterotic groups.