ARS | Publication request: Where Are the Hybrids?

Submitted to: Asa-Cssa-Sssa Annual Meeting Abstracts
Publication Acceptance Date: August 10, 2004
Publication Date: October 1, 2004
Citation: Vogel, K.P. 2004. Where Are The Hybrids?. Asa-Cssa-Sssa Annual Meeting Abstracts. Madison, Wi. Cd-Rom No. 4051.

Technical Abstract: Hybrids for commercial use have not been developed for most perennial forages because of the inability to effectively emasculate large numbers of plants in seed production fields. Methods for producing hybrid cultivars include first generation chance hybrids, self-incompability hybrids, cytoplasmic male-sterile hybrids, apomictic hybrids, and hybrids produced by the use of male-gametocides. To date apomictic hybrids and cytoplasmic male-sterile hybrids have been produced for a limited number of perennial forages. For sexual species for which cytoplasmic male sterility systems have not been developed or discovered, hybrids based on self-incompatibility are now becoming feasible. Self-incompatibility mechanisms exist for most cross-pollinated forages. Superior genotypes that are self-incompatible but cross compatible when mated and whose progeny have significant heterosis for economic traits can be increased via improved tissue culture methods and transplanted into seed production fields. All harvested seed would be F1 hybrid seed. Regardless of the method that is used to produce hybrid forage cultivars, information on heterotic groups is needed to efficiently develop hybrid cultivars. This information is not available or is limited for most forages and will restrict the development of hybrid cultivars. Population hybridization is recommended as an efficient method of identifying heterotic groups in forages.