Seed Shattering in Tall Fescue

Seed shattering in many commercial grass seed crops is a serious problem which makes seed harvesting difficult and which is often a major cause of high losses in seed yield. 2880 plants of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) belonging to 48 natural populations collected at sites scattered from northern (46° 10'N) to southern (39°05'N) Italy and 60 plants of the cultivar Fawn were grown in Perugia (Italy) as spaced plants. Al peak anthcsis, 5 panicles from each plant were randomly chosen and 40 days later they were evaluated for seed retention capability. Ten plants, belonging to 9 different populations, were characterised by a superior capability to retain seeds al the full maturity stage. The mechanism of seed retention was also histologically investigated. These genotypes are included in breeding programmes aimed at reducing seed losses of commercial varieties al harvesting time.