Characterization of domuz ayriği (dactylis spp.) genotypes collected from different regions of Türkiye based on morphological and agricultural traits for plant breeding purposes

This research was conducted at Selçuk University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. İhsan ÖZKAYNAK, within the scope of the TÜBİTAK project numbered 113O919. The aim of the study is to determine the agronomic characteristics of 30 selected genotypes from approximately 3000 Dactylis (Dactylis L.) genotypes that were morphologically characterized and collected from different ecological regions of Turkey. Since Dactylis is a perennial grass species, data collection began in the second year due to insufficient plant development in the first year. Accordingly, the data obtained from plants transplanted to the field during the 2020–2021 growing season were used in this study. As part of an ongoing, long-term research project, the study aims to contribute both to the generation of fundamental scientific knowledge and to practical applications. The genotypes evaluated in this research consist of wild-collected materials, and their potential use in turf applications, forage production, and pasture improvement was assessed. In this context, the following morphological and agronomic traits were evaluated for each genotype: turf quality (1–9 scale), seasonal color variation (1–9 scale), leaf texture (1–9 scale), density (1–9 scale), panicle formation tendency (1–9 scale), autumn growth habit (1–9 scale), plant height (cm), leaf width (mm), leaf length (cm), regrowth time in spring (1–9 scale), panicle length (cm), last internode length (cm), seed yield per plant (g/plant), and thousand seed weight (g). The data obtained revealed the phenotypic variation among Dactylis genotypes and enabled the evaluation of this species for various purposes, such as forage production, turfgrass use, or as pasture improvement material.