Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed., 2025, 61(3):128-137 | DOI: 10.17221/21/2025-CJGPB

Study of the genetic potential of autochthonous populations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) for use in breeding purposesOriginal Paper

Marina Antic ORCID...1,3*, ®eljko Lakić ORCID...2,3, Branislav Radulović4, Vera Popović ORCID...5
1 Institute of Genetic Resources, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2 PI Agricultural Institute of Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 Faculty of Agriculture, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
4 Faculty of Law, Mediterranean University, Podgorica, Montenegro
5 Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, Serbia

The testing and evaluation of native populations of perennial ryegrasses (Lolium perenne L.) collected from the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina were conducted from 2020 to 2022 at experimental fields and laboratories of the Institute for Genetic Resources and the Agricultural Institute of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka. Six native populations (labelled G1–G6) and two cultivars, Esquire and Tivoli (labelled G7 and G8), were analysed in this study. The following traits were examined: the plant height (cm), number of generative stems per plant, inflorescence length (cm), number of spikes per inflorescence, seed mass per inflorescence (g), and seed yield per plant (g). The results showed that all the native populations exhibited higher average plant heights compared to the Esquire standard (G7). Population G2 had the highest average number of spikes per inflorescence (26.8), while population G4 achieved the greatest average inflorescence length (27.7 cm). Statistically significant differences in the inflorescence length were observed between populations G2, G3, G4, and G6, compared to the standards G7 and G8 (Esquire and Tivoli). The genotype and year had a significant impact on the seed yield per plant. The average yield ranged from 32.4 g (G7) to 53.4 g (G4). The seed yield per plant showed a strong positive correlation with the number of generative stems per plant, the inflorescence length, and the number of spikes per inflorescence. The native populations G4 and G5 achieved significantly higher seed yields per plant compared to the other populations and may serve as highly valuable material for breeding programmes.

Keywords: English ryegrass; inflorescence length; native populations; plant height; seed yield

Received: March 25, 2025; Revised: May 22, 2025; Accepted: May 23, 2025; Prepublished online: June 13, 2025; Published: September 5, 2025  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Antic M, Lakić ®, Radulović B, Popović V. Study of the genetic potential of autochthonous populations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) for use in breeding purposes. Czech J. Genet. Plant Breed. 2025;61(3):128-137. doi: 10.17221/21/2025-CJGPB.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Abel S., Gislum R., Boelt B. (2017): Path and correlation analysis of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed yield components. Journal of Agronomy and Crops Science, 203: 338-344. Go to original source...
    2. Boelt B., Studer B. (2010): Breeding for grass seed yield. In: Boller B., Posselt U.K., F. Veronesi F. (eds.): Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses. New York, Springer: 161-174. Go to original source...
    3. Bojović R., Popović V., Popović D., Prodanović R., Đukić R., Boąković J., Ćirić M., Filipović V. (2024): Economical sugar beet production: Biotechnological advances to improve yield in conditions of abiotic and biotic stress. Sugar Tech, 26: 1257-1273. Go to original source...
    4. Camlin M.S. (1997): Plant breeding - achievement and prospects, grasses. In: Weddell J.R. (ed.): Seeds of Progress. Occasional Symposium, Hurley, British Grassland Society: 2-14.
    5. Casler M.D., Barker R.E., Brummer E.C., Papadopolous Y.A., Hoffman L.D. (2003): Selection for orchardgrass seed yield in target versus nontarget environments. Crop Science, 43: 532-538. Go to original source...
    6. Chastain T.G., Young W.C., Silberstein T.B., Garbacik C.J. (2014): Performance of trinexapac-ethyl on Lolium perenne seed crops in diverse lodging environments. Field Crops Research, 157: 65-70. Go to original source...
    7. Conaghan P., Casler M.D. (2011): A theoretical and practical analysis of the optimum breeding system for perennial ryegrass. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 50: 47-63.
    8. Connolly V. (2001): Breeding improved varieties of perennial ryegrass. Dublin, Teagasc Publications: 1-17.
    9. Enger H., Rienm H. (1958): Die Ammoniumlaktessigsaure-Methode zur Bestimmung der leichtloslichen Phosphorsaure in Karbonathaltingen Boden. Agrochemica, 3: 49-65.
    10. Gilliland T.J., Johnston J., Connolly C. (2007): A review of forage grass and clover seed use in Northern Ireland, UK between 1980 and 2004. Grass and Forage Science, 62: 239-254. Go to original source...
    11. Harb A., Krishnan A., Ambavaram M.M., Pereira A. (2010): Molecular and physiological analysis of drought stress in Arabidopsis reveals early responses leading to acclimation in plant growth. Plant Physiology, 154: 1254-1271. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    12. Humphreys M.O. (2005): Genetic improvement of forage crops - past, present and future. Journal of Agricultural Science, 143: 441-448. Go to original source...
    13. Humphreys M., Feuerstein U., Vandewalle M., Baert J. (2010): Ryegrasses. In: Boller B., Posselt U., Veronesi F. (eds.): Fodder Crops and Amenity Grasses. Handbook of Plant Breeding. Dordrecht, Springer: 211-260. Go to original source...
    14. ISTA Rules (2018): Method Validation Reports on Rules Proposals for the International Rules for Seed Testing 2018 Edition. International Rules for Seed Testing Associattion. Available in https://www.seedtest.org/api/rm/HF89YW73BD789KQ/ista-method-validation-reports-2018.pdf
    15. Lakić ®. (2014): Variability of seed components of selected populations of English ryegrass. Agro-Knowledge Journal, 15: 267-280. Go to original source...
    16. Lakić ®., Gatarić Đ., Vojin S. (2006): Breeding value of English meadow grass genotypes (Lolium perenne L.). Agro-Knowledge Journal, 7: 85-93.
    17. Lakić ®., Sokolović D., Babić S., Vojin S., Ikanović J., Veljović T., Balalić I. (2013): Genetic variability of seed yield and seed components of autochthonous Lolium perenne L. populations. Genetika, 45: 553-556. Go to original source...
    18. Lakić ®., Ikanović J., Pavlović S. (2015a): Biomass yield and quality parameters of selected ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) populations. Agro-Knowledge Journal, 16: 241-252. Go to original source...
    19. Lakić ®., Balalić I., Vojin S. (2015b): Interpretation of genotype × environment interaction in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Genetika, 47: 509-522. Go to original source...
    20. Lakić ®., Antić M., Đurđić I., Popović V. (2019): Morphological characteristics of alfalfa genotypes tolerant of low soil pH. Genetika, 51: 907-922. Go to original source...
    21. Lakić ®., Noľinić M., Antić M., Popovic V. (2022): The influence of the biostimulator on the yield components and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor). Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 50: 12998. Go to original source...
    22. Lee J.M., Matthew C., Thom E.R., Chapman D. (2012): Perennial ryegrass breeding in New Zealand: A dairy industry perspective. Crop and Pasture Science, 63: 107-127. Go to original source...
    23. Long D., Billings P., Hindle J., Gilliland T.J. (2011): Marketing of improved grass varieties. In: O'Donnovan M., Hennessy D. (eds.): Grasses for the Future, Perennial Ryegrasses: Current and Future Genetic Potential. Cork, Teagasc Occasional Publication.
    24. Ozkose A., Tamkos A. (2014): Morphological and agronomic characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) genotypes. Turkish Journal of Field Crops, 19: 231-237. Go to original source...
    25. Popovic V., Vasileva V., Ljubičić N., Rakaąčan N., Ikanović J. (2024b): Environment, soil and digestate interaction of maize silage and biogas production. Agronomy, 14: 2612. Go to original source...
    26. Sampoux J.P., Baudouin P., Bayle B., Béguier V., Bourdon P., Chosson J.F., Deneufbourg F., Galbrun C., Ghesquière M., Noël D., Pietraszek W., Tharel B., Viguié A. (2011): Breeding perennial grasses for forage usage: An experimental assessment of trait changes in diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars released in the last four decades. Field Crops, 123: 117-129. Go to original source...
    27. Sarkadi J., Krámer M., Thamm B. (1965): Determination of P-content of calcium and ammonium lactate soil extracts with the ascorbic acid-tin chloride method without heating. Agrokémia és Talajtan, 14: 75-86.
    28. Sartie A.M., Easton H.S., Matthew C., Rolston M.P., Faville M.J. (2018): Seed yield in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.): Comparative importance of component traits and detection of seed-yield-related QTL. Euphytica, 214: 226. Go to original source...
    29. Tubbs B.T., Chastain G.T. (2022): Genetic variation for seed retention in accessions and genotypic lines of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Crop Science, 63: 306-319. Go to original source...
    30. Tubbs T.B., Chastain T.G. (2024): Exploring traditional and novel spike traits associated with seed retention in perennial ryegrass by integrating 2D and 3D image analysis. Crop Science, 64: 3259-3271. Go to original source...
    31. Wilkins P.W., Humphreys M.O. (2003): Progress in breeding perennial forage grasses for temperate agriculture. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 140: 129-150. Go to original source...
    32. Zhang J., Li H., Jiang Y., Li H., Zhang Z., Xu Z., Xu B., Huang B. (2020): Natural variation of physiological traits, molecular markers, and chlorophyll catabolic genes associated with heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass accessions. BMC Plant Biology, 20: 520. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content