EARLY SEEDLING VIGOUR AND SEED WEIGHT IN RELATION TO BREEDING IN SMOOTH BROMEGRASS, BROMUS INERMIS LEYSS.

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Abstract
Variability in early seedling vigour was studied in polycross progenies from highly selected plants rated as good in other agronomic characters and in open-pollinated progenies from previously unselected So plants. Differences were found in both groups in rate and per cent emergence, and in height and vigour at 28 days. Considering the variability observed in these characters and the favourable associations found, it appears that early seedling vigour in bromegrass can be improved by selection within the species.Seed weight was closely associated with early seedling vigour. Plants differed widely in seed weight, and in breeding for early seedling vigour it appears that most rapid progress can be made by screening breeding material for seed weight. Because seed weight did not account for all of the differences among progenies in seedling vigour, progenies from high seed weight plants or families should be subjected to a seedling vigour test to further select for this character. The close relationship found between greenhouse and field trials indicates that at least the initial screening can be done in the greenhouse.