Abstract
This study was aimed to evaluate morphological characteristics of the panicle as well as seeds of Dactylis glomerata varieties relevant for the assessment of seed production. Six varieties different in earliness were sown in two row spacing. Panicle traits: length, number of the 1st and the 2nd order branches as well as 1000-seed weight and morphological seed traits were assessed during 4-year utilization. Significant differences between varieties were found according to the panicle length, number of the branches and 1000-seed weight depending on the year of utilization as well as with reference to evaluated seed traits, irrespectively on year and row spacing. The results showed that the main traits determining the seed weight per panicle of Dactylis glomerata varieties are the panicle length and the number of the 1st order branches. Whereas, seed morphological traits had impact on 1000-seed weight and seed weight per panicle only in the second year of use, in which the highest rainfall than in the other years and moderate temperatures were recorded.
Highlights
Dactylis glomerata L. is a cool-season, persistent and perennial grass species, considered to be of major economic importance due to its high forage production (Jafari and Naseri 2007, Steward and Ellison 2011).This species is characterized by high protein content, depending on the stage of plants maturity (McEniry andO’Kiely 2013)
The obtained results showed that morphological traits of panicles of Dactylis glomerata were clearly differentiated depending on variety and year and interaction between year and variety was significant (Table 3)
The results of this study indicate that the number of the 1st order branches in panicle as well as panicle length have importance in predicting the seed weight per panicle of Dactylis glomerata varieties
Summary
Dactylis glomerata L. (orchardgrass) is a cool-season, persistent and perennial grass species, considered to be of major economic importance due to its high forage production (Jafari and Naseri 2007, Steward and Ellison 2011).This species is characterized by high protein content, depending on the stage of plants maturity (McEniry andO’Kiely 2013). According to literature (Volaire and Thomas 1995, Salis et al 2006) Dactylis glomerata is a widespread grass which is well-adapted to severe water deficit conditions since it maintained longer a high photosynthetic rate even at the most severe drought treatment than most temperate forage grasses. It is a cross-pollinating grass species (Sanada et al 2010). Most populations of this species are diploid, while others are tetraploid and hexaploid subspecies (Moser et al 1996, Mizianty 2008, Sanada et al 2010)
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