Inheritance of Rapid Lateral Tillering Rate and Rhizome Formation In Tall Fescue [Lolium Arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.].

Tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] is a cool season, perennial, out-crossing, bunch type turfgrass, which spreads primarily by erect tillers. However, some types have been found that have  a rapid lateral tillering rate and rhizome formation. The rapid tillering rate and rhizome formation are beneficial in tall fescue as they help plants to spread faster and recover from damage.  The growth habit of tall fescue was classified as:  bunch type which spreads by erect tiller; broad base type which spreads by lateral tillers; and rhizome type which produce rhizomes along with tillers. The study of inheritance of rapid lateral tillering rate and rhizome formation in tall fescue was done using diallel and polycross mating system. Two genotypes from each growth type were selected and allowed to cross in the green house. Progenies were planted in the field in randomized complete block design with four replications. The highest number of full sib progenies having rhizomes were found from rhizome x bunch type parents, whereas the highest number of rhizomes per plant was found in the progenies from rhizome x rhizome type parents. In case of half-sib progenies, the highest number of rhizomes per plant was found from rhizome parents followed by the progenies from broad base parents. For the tillering rate, the highest turf density was recorded and exhibited by full-sib progenies from broad base x bunch type parents and the half-sib progenies from broad base parents, respectively.