The effect of pollination bag type on seed quality and size in Hordeum inter- and intraspecific hybridization

Abstract

The effects of different spike covering materials have been investigated in crosses between Hordeum vulgare and H. bulbosum and in selfed H. vulgare. It was found that after lemmas and paleas were clipped, improvements in seed quality (H. vulgare × H. bulbosum) and weight (selfed H. vulgare) were obtained by covering heads with small brown paper bags compared with other treatments. Possible reasons for these effects are discussed but so far the mechanism has not been clarified. However, light is suggested as playing a major role.