Reproductive biology of Elymus scabrifolius (Döll) J. H. Hunz. (Poaceae: Triticeae), an important phytogenetic resource for saline environments

Abstract

Elymus scabrifolius is a perennial forage species valued as a plant genetic resource for degraded areas and for crop improvement, being a source of salt-tolerant related genes. In this study, we determined the breeding system of this species by analyzing seed set under different pollination treatments, phenology, floral traits, and embryological development in four Argentine populations. The results indicate that E. scabrifolius has a mixed, sexual, and mainly autogamous reproductive system. Plants from all populations produced high seed percentages, with significant differences among them. Self-pollination occurred fundamentally between the chasmogamous florets of the same plant by geitonogamy. This mode of selfing results from the flowering synchrony and the architecture of inflorescences. Self-pollination by cleistogamy had low rates and was observed in only two populations. This information may be useful to estimate the potential utility of this species as a phytogenetic resource, and to design efficient collection and conservation programs.