Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270675
Title: Relationships among seed quality characteristics in a collection of western wheatgrass germplasms

Author
item Robins, Joseph
item BHATTARAI, KISHOR - Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc
item Bushman, Shaun
item Larson, Steven

Submitted to: Euphytica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2011
Publication Date: 12/3/2011
Citation: Robins, J.G., Bhattarai, K., Bushman, B.S., Larson, S.R. 2011. Relationships among seed quality characteristics in a collection of western wheatgrass germplasms. Euphytica. 184:131-139.

Interpretive Summary: Despite the importance of western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.)] for agricultural and conservation uses in North America, its utility is limited by poor seed production and quality. In the current study, we evaluated the seed production and quality of 48 western wheatgrass germplasms and cultivars. The cultivars had higher seed production than the germplasm sources. Differences between cultivars and germplasms for other traits were non-existent or limited to one year. A subset of cultivars and germplasms with high seed production and emergence rate was identified. Additionally, molecular marker characterization identified three populations from which examined western wheatgrasses derived. Based on this information, different selection practices could be used to develop high performing agronomic lines or to produce germplasms suitable for conservation goals.

Technical Abstract: Although western wheatgrass [Pascopyrum smithii (Rydb.)] is an important perennial grass species for agriculture and conservation management in central and western North America, its lack of seed production and seeding vigor limits its effectiveness. To address the weaknesses, a study was conducted to assess rhizome spread, seed production, seed weight, germination percentage, and emergence rate of seed produced from 48 western wheatgrass cultivars and germplasm accessions at a field site near Nephi, UT, USA during 2007 and 2008. The western wheatgrass cultivars had approximately two times higher seed production than the germplasm accessions during both 2007 and 2008 and also had higher seed weight in 2007 and emergence rate in 2008. The germplasm accessions had higher seed weight in 2008. For the remaining traits, there were no differences among the different germplasm sources. Based on principle component analysis, a subset of cultivars and germplasm accessions with high seed production and emergence rate was identified that could be used to produce improved cultivars and germplasms. There was little evidence of strong relationship between geographic, genetic, and phenotypic distances among the various lines examined. Additionally, based on genetic marker data, a subset of lines was grouped into three populations. Based on these results, selection among lines could occur to maximize agricultural performance regardless of site of origin, or within population selection could be practiced to meet conservation goals of minimizing hybridization among populations.