Heritability Estimates of Native Prairie Junegrass Breeding Material

Prairie junegrass [/Koeleria macrantha/ (Ledeb.) Shultes] is a perennial, short-grass prairie species distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. This species is known to require fewer inputs than other cool-season turfgrasses and it demonstrates tolerance to many environmental stresses found in Minnesota.  In June 2007, 300 genotypes derived from Colorado, Nebraska, and Minnesota germplasm were grown and evaluated for turf quality characteristics in 2 locations (St. Paul, MN and Becker, MN).  Following establishment, plots received no supplemental irrigation or fertility and were mowed weekly to a height of 6.4 cm.

Data were collected for three growing seasons on turfgrass quality traits and its components including crown density, mowing quality, and color.  Data were also collected on rust (incidence and severity), spring green-up, plant height, lateral spread, fall color, and flowering traits (inflorescence emergence and the persistence of straw after mowing).

Broad-sense heritability estimates were calculated on a clonal mean (Hc) and single plant (Hsp) basis for turf quality (Hc = 0.62, Hsp = 0.13), crown density (Hc = 0.55, Hsp = 0.09), mowing quality (Hc = 0.59, Hsp = 0.09), and genetic color (Hc=0.45, Hsp = 0.06).  The heritability estimates indicate that selection for these traits should result in significant gains in germplasm improvement.  The positive correlations among several of these traits will allow for simultaneous multi-trait selection.