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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2023, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (4): 54-67.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2022168

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Analysis of traits related to seed yield and nutrient utilization in the Kentucky bluegrass germplasm in Gansu

Xue HA(), Jin-qing ZHANG, Fang-xu BAI, Xiang-rong MA, An-qi WANG, Hui-ling MA()   

  1. Pratacultural College,Gansu Agricultural University,Key Laboratory for Grassland Ecosystem of Ministry of Education,Pratacultural Engineering Laboratory of Gansu Province,Sino-U. S. Centers for Grazing Land Ecosystem Sustainability,Lanzhou 730070,China
  • Received:2022-04-13 Revised:2022-07-02 Online:2023-04-20 Published:2023-01-29
  • Contact: Hui-ling MA

Abstract:

In this study, we analyzed traits related to seed yield and the ability to utilize various minerals in six wild germplasms of Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) from Gansu. The overall aim of this research was to provide a research basis and theoretical reference to improve the use of this plant, generate new germplasm, and identify wild Kentucky bluegrass varieties that can utilize certain minerals. The coefficients of variation of 11 seed yield-related traits and eight traits related to mineral elements ranged from 4.46% to 50.88%. The coefficients of variation for sodium content, calcium content, and the number of seeds on branches were all greater than 40.00%, indicative of wide variability. Correlation analyses showed that the seed yield of wild Kentucky bluegrass was positively correlated with inflorescence length; number of branches; number of florets on spikelets; number of seeds on branches; number of seeds on spikelets; and spikelet seed setting rate. The mineral elements were ranked from highest average content to lowest, as follows: K>Mg>Ca>Na>Mn>Zn>Fe>Cu, and there were complex correlations among the different elements. The results of clustering and principal component analyses showed that the comprehensive ranking of wild Kentucky bluegrass germplasm in Gansu based on 19 traits was Qinzhou>Lanzhou>Longxi>Gannan>Qingshui>Longnan, and the first two, middle two, and last two germplasms each formed one category. Therefore, the material from Qinzhou performed best in terms of the numbers of florets on spikelets, seeds on branches, seeds on spikelets, seeds on inflorescence, spikelet seed setting rate, and thousand grain weight. The Qinzhou strain of Kentucky bluegrass was therefore identified as a good parental material for breeding research. These results provide a theoretical basis and basic data for further research on germplasm resource classification, genetic characteristics, internal relationships among traits, and on the selection, utilization, and improvement of traits in wild P. pratensis.

Key words: wild Kentucky bluegrass in Gansu, germplasm materials, seed yield related traits, mineral elements