I ntercross' PI 658507) is a turf-type, intermediate, transition-type ryegrass. Annual and perennial ryegrass are differentiated by three main and several minor characters. Annuals have awns and perennials do not. Root tips (10 d after germination) of annuals typically fl uoresce under a dark light, and those of perennials do not, and annuals have rolled leaf vernation whereas that of perennials is folded. When considering turfgrass, perennials are normally shorter with a dwarf phenotype, have narrower and shorter leaves, and have a darker-green leaf color. Perennials act as a perennial in a cooler envir o nm en t; h o w ev er , in T exas , perennials di e in J un e o r July, whereas annuals die in May. Therefore in overseeded warm-season turf, perennials often are too competitive and can damage the permanent warm-season turfgrass. Intermediates are derived from crossing an annual with a
MethodsIntercross comes from a cross of Axcella × 01-ARG (intermediate) made by D.J. Floyd from Pickseed West, Inc., at Albany, Oregon, during the growing season of 2000-2001. In 2001 -2002 seed of the F 1 was grown in rows at Overton and allowed to cross-pollinate. In 2002-2003 this germplasm was grown as a space-plant population at Overton. Sixteen plants with dark-green leaves and good turf quality were transplanted to pots near the greenhouse for crosspollination. These plants were inoculated for crown rust, and 3 plants were susceptible and were removed, leaving 13 plants to cross-pollinate and produce seed, which was labeled TXR2004-TF-1. In 2003-2004, seed of TXR2004-TF-1 was sent to the Oregon State Seed Testing Laboratory and screened for root fl uorescence. Nonfl uorescent seedlings were returned to Overton and planted in a space-planted n urs e ry . P l an t s n o t exhi b i tin g g o o d turf ch ar a ct e ri s ti c s