Cytogenetical Studies on forage plants. (IV) Self-incompatibility in Miscanthus

Abstract

Miscalcthus sinelesis ANDERSS., M. sileensis ANDERSS. var. condensatus HACK. and M. tinctorius (STEUD.) HACK. were used. as crossing materials. It was fcund that the, seed setting following :self pollination was very Poor. and that the ear isola.ted spacially and timely, set few seed grains, in spite of its good polleri fertility a:s high as above 85% On the other hand, cross pollination between individuals, varieties or Ispecies, resulted in the higher percentage of, seed setting. Similarly, when the ear remained free, , which was considered to be crossed with forelgri mixed pollen, showed, good seed setting. But in the crses of cross: pollination and free opening, there is much, diversity in percenta, ges of seed setting. This diversity appears td be afEected either by cross combination of parental individuals or by environmental factors, such as distance betweeh individuals, climate and so, on, . making .the pollination perfect. From the above described results, in Miscalcthus.. it is apparent that pollen fertility and seed settipg when crossed or remained free; are good, while only selfing showed poor seed setting. Therefore, self incompatibility is concluded. If a few bxceptive selfing are al, lowed, controlled crossing can be madei, rather easily without emasculation. Moreover, these facts may explain the polymorphism in wild Miscanthus.