Variety traits

Ploidy of orchardgrass

Dactylis glomerata L.

A fundamental characteristic of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) that determines its ecological strategy, growth rates, and adaptability. The genus Dactylis exhibits diploid (2n=14), tetraploid (2n=28), and hexaploid (2n=42) ploidy levels.

In the reference 17 varieties crop Cocksfoot, where this is mentioned in the description.

Tetraploid forms (2n=28) are of the greatest importance for agricultural use, as they dominate open and disturbed sites. Diploid forms (2n=14) are more commonly found in less competitive environments, such as forest understories.

The ploidy level determines the agronomic traits of the crop: tetraploids are characterized by higher growth rates during the winter-spring period and earlier flowering dates, which allows them to avoid summer drought. These forms possess high ecological plasticity, making them a priority for the development of new cultivars.

To assess the ploidy of orchardgrass, cytogenetic analysis, flow cytometry for nuclear DNA content estimation, and molecular SSR markers are used. Selecting the tetraploid cytotype is key to ensuring stable yields in cultivation regions.

General information about the subject — on the page Ploidy.

Sources6

Varieties of Cocksfoot mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.