Selection for establishment capacity in reed canarygrass

摘要: Establishment of reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is seriously impaired by relatively low seeding vigor and growth rate. Poor soil–seed contact, intense competition from annual weeds, infrequent clipping during the establishment year exacerbate this problem. The objectives study were (i) to select populations for capacity in presence (ii) evaluate progeny progress selection, (iii) determine mechanisms improved potential selected populations. Two cycles selection survival under weed completed, first involving among spaced plants second within seeded plots. Selection increased ground cover October 29% tiller density May following 36%, averaged over five cultivars. Seed mass consistently decreased with capacity, but emergence rate all cultivars an average 18.1%. Three (Palaton, Vantage, Venture) responded shoot and/or root fresh mass, shoot-mass responses generally larger than root-mass responses. Selected Vantage Venture also had small decreases time required initiation. Bellevue Rival showed no seedling traits selection. Seedling was most important factor regulating genetic variability there some variation mechanism