Seed yield can be explained by altered yield components in field-grown western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.)

Zhao Chen,Junpeng Niu,Quanzhen Wang,Xinlong Cao,Wenbo Jiang,Quan Zhang,Jian Cui

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-54586-0

Zhao Chen, Junpeng Niu + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-54586-0

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Abstract

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.) is an important cool-season forage and turfgrass. However, due to seed dormancy and poor seedling vigor, it is difficult to develop high seed yield production systems, and assessing these components in response to seed yield. Based on multifactor orthogonally designed field experimental plots under various field management regimes, the effects of numbers of fertile tillers m−2 (Y1), spikelets/fertile tiller (Y2), florets/spikelet (Y3), seed numbers/spikelet (Y4), and seed weight (Y5) on seed yield (Z) were determined over three successive years. Correlation analysis indicated that fertile tillers (Y1) was the most important seed yield component. And the biggest contribution of those five yield component is fertile tillers (Y1), followed by seed numbers/spikelet (Y4), spikelets/fertile tiller (Y2), florets/spikelet (Y3) and seed weight (Y5), respectively. By using ridge regression analysis, we have developed an accurate model of seed yield with its five components. Finally, the results of synergism and antagonism among these yield components on seed yield showed that fertile tillers and seed numbers/spikelet had an antagonistic effect on seed yield. Therefore, selection for high seed yield by direct selection for large values of fertile tillers and seed numbers/spikelet would be the most effective breeding strategy for western wheatgrass.

Highlights

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.) is a native, perennial cool-season grass, found most abundantly in the southern, mixed-grass prairie region of the Great Plains of North America and is grown for livestock production throughout the temperate regions of the world[1]
Since seed yield is influenced by environmental conditions, and agronomic factors[26,27,28], the experimenter selects the best design based on the information available with respect to field spatial heterogeneity[29]
The aim of this study was to confirm the direct and indirect effects of key seed yield components, including fertile tillers m−2 (Y1), spikelets/fertile tillers (Y2), florets/ spikelet (Y3), seed number/spikelet (Y4), and seed weight (Y5), on seed yield (Z) of Pascopyrum smithii based on a multifactor orthogonal design under field conditions, with various managements

Summary

Introduction

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii Rydb.) is a native, perennial cool-season grass, found most abundantly in the southern, mixed-grass prairie region of the Great Plains of North America and is grown for livestock production throughout the temperate regions of the world[1] Because it thrives on impoverished soils in pastoral environments, even with multiple, simultaneous stressors[2], it is an important species for soil protection, water conservation, and vegetation protection in arid and semi-arid regions. The aim of this study was to confirm the direct and indirect effects of key seed yield components, including fertile tillers m−2 (Y1), spikelets/fertile tillers (Y2), florets/ spikelet (Y3), seed number/spikelet (Y4), and seed weight (mg) (Y5), on seed yield (Z) of Pascopyrum smithii based on a multifactor orthogonal design under field conditions, with various managements. This study evaluated two hypotheses: (1) all five seed yield components and the seed yield are inter-related, and each yield factor has different direct and indirect effects on seed yield, and (2) an algorithmic model of seed yield based on these five components can be developed to accurately estimate seed yield

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