New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
Branched inflorescence perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)
—seed yield evaluated in field trials and response to nitrogen and
trinexapac-ethyl plant growth regulator
M. P. Rolston
W. J. Archie
AgResearch Ltd
P.O. Box 60
Lincoln, New Zealand
email: phil.rolston@agresearch.co.nz
W. Rumball
AgResearch Ltd
Private Bag 11 088
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Abstract In 2 years of field trials a branched
inflorescence perennial ryegrass (‘BIR’) selection was compared with a
common standard non-branched perennial ryegrass cv. ‘Grasslands Nui’ to
evaluate seed yield and components of yield. In the second year the
trial used high nitrogen (N) rates (240, 300, and 360 kg N ha–1),
and the plant growth regulator trinexapac-ethyl at 400 g active
ingredient ha–1. In both years the trials
demonstrated that the ‘BIR’ selection produced more than double the
number of spikelets per reproductive tiller and double the number of
florets m–2; but had only half the seed yield. Reproductive
efficiency assessed as saleable seeds per spikelet was reduced by 75%
and floret site utilisation by 67% in the ‘BIR’ selection compared with
‘Nui’. This massive reproductive failure was not ameliorated by
providing a non-limiting nutrient inputs system, or use of a plant
growth regulator.
Keywords Lolium perenne; perennial
ryegrass; branched inflorescences; nitrogen; plant growth regulator;
trinexapac-ethyl; seed yield
A04024; Received 14 April 2004; accepted 4 December 2004; Online
publication date 21 March 2005
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 2005, Vol. 48:
87–92
0028–8233/05/4801–0087 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2005
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