Evidence from the use of isozyme markers of competition in swards between short-leaved and long-leaved perennial ryegrass

Intraspecific competition in Lolium perenne was studied using a replacement series of a short-leaved and a long-leaved genotype that was managed under different cutting frequencies and nitrogen supplies. Leaf length, tiller density and yield were recorded 6 months after sowing. Since the two competitors were labelled at the PGI/2 locus, it was possible to identify unambiguously the origin of tillers in the mixtures and to estimate the average length of lamina of each genotype. The difference in leaf length between the two competitors was maintained under particular types of management and generated contrasting competitive abilities leading to evolution of the genotypic composition of the mixtures. Thus, under infrequent cutting, competition for light resulted in the domination of the long-leaved genotype and in a concomitant intragenotypic selection for leaf length. Supplying nitrogen fertilizer emphasized the phenotypic plasticity of the genotypes, particularly of the dominated one. Frequent cutting reduced competition for light and the change towards the short-leaved genotype was far less rapid. The yielding and competitive abilities of ryegrass genotypes and the implications for breeding are briefly discussed.