Pedicellate Spikelet Fertility in Big Bluestem from Eastern South Dakota

Within a nursery of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vit.) from seed collections made in eastern South Dakota, 86% of the plants possessed fertile pedicellate spikelets. From 10 random culms of 462 plants representing 20 different collection sites, seed-bearing sessile and pedicellate spikelets were separated and weighed. A highly significant difference was found among sites for pedicellate spikelet seed yield. Fertile pedicellate yield was positively correlated (r = 0.69, P < 0.01) with total seed yield of ten culms. Pedicellate spikelet caryopses were smaller than sessiles from the same plant, suggesting they were of inferior quality.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202