Patterns of variation in Bromus L. introductions

Abstract

Seed lines of 52 Bromus species introduced from many countries were grown and compared at Palmerston North.

There were significant differences among the five taxonomic sections of Bromus for each character studied. Bromopsis and Ceratochloa species were generally few-tillering and sparsely-heading compared with the species from Neobromus, Eubromus, and Bromium, but were more persistent in summer. Tiller size and plant habit did not relate closely to the characters above.

For all characters there was significant variation among the species within each section but in many cases this range of variation was covered by the different lines of a single species. The results are discussed with regard to obtaining Bromus material for use in New Zealand pastures.