Interspecific hybrids inChionochloa(Gramineae)

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Abstract
Six species of Chionochloa—C. cheesemanii. C. conspicua ssp. cunninghamii. C. flavescens. c. flavicans, C. rigida, and C. rubra—are true-breeding and selffertile; S1 families show no inbreeding depression. F1 and F2 interspecific hybrids were relatively easily obtained, though no hybrids resulted when C. flavicans was used as female parent. Seed-set on selfing F, hybrids was variable, seed-set potentials from 5% to 60% being recorded; in most F1's pollen fertility was of the order of 90%. Hybrids with C. rigida as either male or female parent set more seed than other interspecific combinations. Potential interspecific gene exchange is discussed, particularly where the opportunities were greatly increased during the last thousand years. Contraction of wide ecotones. with the expansion of agricul,ture, has, in the century of European occupation. reduced the possibilities for some interspecific gene exchange.

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