Cytology of seed development related to floret position in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Abstract

In seed crops of perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., yields are low and only 15 to 20% of the florets produce a harvestable seed. This study was conducted to determine if seed abortion was a major cause of low floret site utilization (FSU) and therefore of low seed yield in spaced plants. Spikes of four spaced-planted genotypes of perennial ryegrass were harvested and fixed at one-week intervals one to five weeks after the beginning of anthesis. Of a total of 74 spikes, over 13,000 florets were examined with a binocular microscope and 66 whole spikelets were microtome sectioned. The histology of the pro-embryo is presented in relation to the development of the endosperm. In one low yielding, two intermediate and one high yielding genotype, biological FSU was 8, 72, 73 and 63%, respectively. In all genotypes, 90% of the unproductive florets showed ovule degeneration within a few days after flowering. A few florets were sterile or contained a degenerated embryo sac already before flowering and about 5% of the unproductive florets showed seed abortion later than one week after flowering. Within a spikelet, successful fertilization did not decline from the basal to the distal floret. Although in later stages distal florets had slightly less seeds, unproductive florets were found at all floret positions. Biological FSU decreased mainly by ovule degeneration shortly after flowering. In spaced plants, seed abortion was not important to low seed yield.