Water‐soluble carbohydrates in perennial ryegrass breeding

Abstract

Abstract Water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents of the early heading perennial ryegrass cultivar Aurora and five late heading cultivars were assessed in samples from 1 m × 2 m plots cut eight times in 1983 and five times in 1984. Despite fluctuations due to effects of the environment and plant development, the ranking of the cultivars in terms of WSC generally remained constant. Aurora had the highest overall WSC content. Majestic and Aberystwyth S23 had the lowest while Perma, Melle and Ba 9795 were intermediate. In the same trial, the ranking of the F 2 hybrids between the late heading cultivars and Aurora was also consistent with that obtained previously in F 1 and F 2 spaced plants. Melle F 2 families had the highest WSC followed by Perma F 2 , Ba 9795 F 2 , S23 F 2 and finally Majestic F 2 families. This ranking also remained constant over a generation of intense selection for uniformity of heading date. It was concluded that WSC is a consistent and heritable trait in breeding perennial ryegrass. Aurora was a good resource for improving WSC but the turf‐type perennial ryegrass. Majestic, had a strong negative effect on WSC content in hybrid material.