Determination of some agricultural and genetic characteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) populations

The objective of this study was to determinate of some agricultural and genetic characteristics of 37 perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) collected from natural flora. The field trial was conducted between 2012-2014 years. In the experiment, plant height, stem diameter, number of tiller, fresh yield, hay yield and nuclear DNA content were determined. According to the obtained results; it was statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.01) between plant height, stem diameter, number of tiller, fresh yield, hay yield and nuclear DNA content of perennial ryegrass populations. Datas of perennial ryegrass populations used in the study varied between 55,50 –97,60 cm in first year and 45,00 –102,60 cm in second year for plant height, 1,31 –2,00 mm for stem diameter, 60,1 - 397,5 number/plant for number of tiller, 145,0 – 1176,7 g/plant in first year, 111,0 – 490,0 g/plant in second year for fresh yield, 41,0 –205,0 g/plant in first year, 12,4 –177,6 g/plant in second year for hay yield, and 5,354 – 6,004 pg for nuclear DNA content. Among the perennial ryegrass populations used in the study, there is a wide variation in agricultural and genetic characteristics. Anahtar Kelimeler: Perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., hay yield, nuclear DNA content 2019, 43 Pages