A maternal factor conferring resistance to crown rust in Lolium multiflorum cv. 'Axis'

The genetic basis for crown rust resistance was analysed in the progeny of reciprocal crosses between Lolium multiflorum plants that were either resistant (cv. 'Axis') or susceptible to crown rust. The progeny harvested from the resistant parent was two- to seven-fold more resistant than the progeny harvested from the susceptible parent. These data indicate the presence of a maternal factor which increases resistance to crown rust in some of the ryegrass plants used as parents.