Breeding Systems in New Zealand Grasses

Abstract

Male sterility in gynodioccious C. richardii is controlled by a single recessive gene; three genotypes are recognised: MsMs ♀,Msms ♀, and msms ♀. Progenies from crosses to females are superior in vigour to progenies from Msms ♀ and to those from selfed MsMs ♀ and Msms ♀. In ovule production females have an advantage over hermaphrodites, but this difference and a small difference in germination are insufficient to maintain an equilibrium state except at the lower female frequencies.