Interspecific hybridization as a potential method for improvement of Agrostis species

Some Agrostis spp., such as A. stolonifera L. (creeping bentgrass), A. capillaris L. (colonial bentgrass), and A. canina L. (velvet bentgrass), are commercially important turfgrass species which are used extensively on golf courses. Development of improved cultivars of these species is the focus of many commercial and academic breeding programs. Interspecific hybridization between Agrostis spp. has not yet been utilized in cultivar development. Here we have investigated the frequency of interspecific hybridization between transgenic creeping bentgrass and four related Agrostis spp. using transmission of a herbicide resistance gene as a marker to identify the hybrids. Interspecific hybrids were recovered with all four Agrostis spp. used, although the frequency was lower than the frequency of selfing. The hybrids were found to be fertile. Our results suggest that interspecific hybridization may be a useful approach in future Agrostis breeding, but will benefit from a screening method to distinguish the hybrids from the selfs.