Hybridization Studies with Species of Cynodon from East Africa and Malagasy

Abstract

A collection of 198 accessions of Cynodon from East Africa and Malagasy was grown in uniform nurseries at Stillwater, Okla., and classified morphologically, studied cytologically, and tested for crossability in hybridization studies. The following taxa were recognized: C. arcuatus, C. plectostachyus, C. aethiopicus, C. nlemfuensis var. nlemfuensis, C. nlemfuensis var. robustas, C. dactylon var. aridus, C. dactylon var. coursii, and C. dactylon var. dactylon. The magnitude of barriers to gene flow was estimated by ease of hybridization and by sterility of the hybrids obtained. C. arcuatus and C. plectostachyus are well isolated from all other species in the genus. The others are sufficiently related that they may be intercrossed. The barriers to gene flow vary demonstrably in strength between different combinations of taxa. The magnitude of a barrier required to establish species limits is, perhaps, more a matter of subjective opinion than a scientific conclusion. It was concluded that no completely satisfactory classification of the genus is possible. The system adopted was a compromise between classical morphological concepts of species, the biological concept of species, and pragmatic utility.