Pentaploid Apomicts by Interspecific Hybridization between Diploid Urochloa ruziziensis and Tetraploid Apomictic U. decumbens

Abstract

ABSTRACTUrochloa species are a rich source of quality forage in the tropical and subtropical areas, and cultivated species are predominantly facultative apomictic. They are well adapted to poor soil conditions, resistant to heavy grazing, and drought tolerant, but some Urochloa species produce poor pasture and seed yield. Therefore, it is important to complement and to combine characteristics of different species in breeding programs. We have conducted interspecific crosses between diploid U. ruziziensis (R. Germ. & C. M. Evrard) Crins ‘Kennedy’ (2n = 2x = 18) with apomictic tetraploids U. decumbens (Stapf) R. D. Webster ‘Basilisk’ (2n = 4x = 36) and U. brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster ‘Marandu’ (2n = 4x = 36). Diploid, triploid, and tetraploid plants were obtained from these crosses. The triploid plants were further crossed with ‘Basilisk’ to produce a BC1F1 generation. Although no seeds were produced by self‐pollination of the F1 triploid hybrids, backcrossing eventually produced triploid, tetraploid, and pentaploid plants (BC1F1). Only the pentaploid plants produced seeds by self‐pollination. This is the first report of the production of apomictic pentaploid progenies from interspecific crosses in Urochloa.