Studies of the intraspecific competition and performance of chance‐hybrids in Lotium multiflorum Lam.¹

Abstract

In order to study the effects of competition on the genotypic composition of chance-hybrids in Lolium multiflorum. eight chance-hybrids were produced according to Burton (1948). Inbred hnes and cultivars were used as parents. The proportions of parental and hybrid components in the seeds and growing-field stands of the chance-hybrids were determined over three cuts using gel electrophoresis. The realized hybrid proportions in the seeds, at a maximum of 38.3%, were considerably lower than the theoretically expected 50%. In the field stands, the hybrid proportions of the chance-hybrids derived from inbred lines increased considerably and continously over cuts, whereas those of the chance-hybrids produced from cultivars increased only slightly. A maximum hybrid tiller proportion of 76.8% was found at the third cut. Correspondingly, the total yield of the chance-hybrids produced from cultivars was only slightly higher than that of the parents. The production of chance-hybrids, therefore, proved to be sensible only if inbred lines had been used as parents.