Cytogenetics and breeding behavior of an apomictic triploid in bahiagrass

An apomlctic triploid was produced from an apomictic tetraploid X sexual diploid bahiagrass, Paspalum notatum Flugge, cross. The triploid was highly male sterile with 0.02 percent stainable pollen. It set 2.3 and 26 percent open-pollinated seed in 1981 and 1980, respectively. Frequency of tetraploid plants from triploid X diploid crosses ranged from less than one percent in 1981 to 22 percent in 1980. Both seed-set and fertilization of unreduced apomictic eggs in the triploid and seed-set and morphological variation in the tetraploids appeared to be environmentally affected. Apomixis is an important mechanism for the survival and reproduction of the triploid. The triploid is a valuable bridge whereby gene(s) controlling apomixis may be moved from the tetraploid to diploid level.