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Varietal Stability in Smooth Bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) as Affected by Regional Seed Production¹

Certified seed lots of ‘Lincoln,’ ‘Saratoga,’ and ‘Fischer’ bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) produced in Western Canada were compared with original Breeder or Foundation seed from Nebraska, New York, and Iowa, respectively. Seed lots were used for production trials at Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (latitude 52°) and Guelph, Ontario (latitude 43°). The object was to find if southern-bred varieties were modified through seed multiplication in a northern area.

At Saskatoon there was no change (P = .05) in forage yields, height of growth, or seed volume weight for any variety. Significant differences in seed yields of lots of Lincoln and Saratoga were recorded. No pattern related to area of seed production was evident in Lincoln, but in Saratoga two of the four Certified lots yielded significantly less seed than Breeder and Foundation lots. At Guelph no significant change in forage yields was noted for Lincoln or Fischer. Two of four certified lots of Saratoga were significantly lower in forage yields than the Foundation lot but not below the Breeder lot. In vitro digestibility analyses of hay showed differences among varieties but good conformity for all samples within varieties. It was concluded that southern varieties of bromegrass could be multiplied in northern areas without serious alteration of forage potential providing there is limited generation increases.

‘Carlton,’ a northern cultivar, showed no significant change in forage or seed yields as a result of two generations of seed production in various districts within Western Canada.

Key Words: Variety shift • Climate effects • Seed yields

² Head, Plant Breeding Section, Research Station, Saskatoon, and Professor, Department of Crop Science, University of Guelph, respectively.

Received for publication March 9, 1972.