IDENTIFICATION OF LOW ALKALOID GENOTYPES OF REED CANARY GRASS

Abstract

Fifty-two strains of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) were screened for the presence of tryptamines and carbolines and for concentrations of gramine. Most strains contained genotypes free of tryptamines and carbolines and showed wide interplant variation in gramine levels. Gramine data between years were highly correlated, indicating high broad sense heritability. It was concluded that there exists a diverse gene pool from which to select tryptamine–carboline-free, low-gramine strains of reed canary grass. An improved method for the determination of gramine concentration is described.