b'Breeders look for these characteristicsconventional biotechnological tools like in the various species: flow-cytometry and molecular markersFrom F. arundinacea: Very strongto create new hybrids in a more efficient root system, strong drought tolerance,way, and states that their company has a strong tolerance to waterlogging and agood experience with genomic selection strong tolerance to saline soil conditions. that might be extended to species likeFrom F. pratensis: A very useful novelFestuloliums in the future. We are also endophyte strain providing resistance orvery interested in the root development tolerance to root and top feeding insects,and we are screening our Festuloliums via an improved root structure, improvedthe Radimax platform.animal palatability right up until late seedThe efforts at our company in creat-head formation stage cf ryegrass, staying new hybrids are providing us with an green gene effect, perenniality, toleranceunlimited source of diversity. We have the to extreme cold. control of our own germplasm. We areFrom L. multiflorum: Fast seedlingvery careful in respecting the regulations establishment, very strong winter activ- on access and benefit sharing. So far, they ity and early spring growth to supplydid not turn out to be a significant restric-vital animal needs, high seed productiontion of our activity in grass breeding in potential, good resistance to net blotchgeneral, Cernoch says . and Fusarium. Stirling says in terms of time, it takesFrom Lolium perenne: Strong degreeabout 10-12 years to develop a new of persistence over 5-plus years, fastvariety. Cropmark Seeds Festuloliums seedling establishment, strong winterFestulolium plant. are targeted towards safer animal graz-activity and early spring growth and gen- ing types than will produce high quality eral seasonal yield to supply vital animalforage (total ME yield per hectare) rather needs, high seed production potential,ance and feeding quality are essential,than specifically for seed production. good resistance to crown and stem ruststogether with the traditional productivityMaking the first F1 is difficult, he says, and net blotch and Fusarium. traits. But we also want to develop thethen theres the hunting for the few seeds species on other markets, working onwhich might form from this first cross. Meeting Targets, Fighting disease late types for Nordic conditions or winterWe generally find that subsequent re-In most crops, yield and resistance aregrowth for the South Hemisphere. As acrossings of these F1s provide slightly paramount breeding targets. How is thisglobal company, our playground is wide! more seeds per plantand normal seed in Festulolium? production per plant is only generally Wolters says in Festulolium, yield andThe Future of Festulolium improved after 4 -5 cycles of such inter-resistance are the characteristics that areWident says DLF has two breeders incrossings. Cropmark Seeds has devel-paramount in their breeding program. charge of the breeding of Festuloliums,oped an improved technique with our According to Stirling, Cropmark seeksnurseries and trials in several locationsF1 pair-crossing program which leads to out the same as per the ryegrasses.in Europe, and DLF has invested in thisslightly great success rates. Strong selection is made of these crossesspecies for a long time. He estimatesStirling adds that they use a range of for seasonal yield, and resistance to athat annual costs related to Festuloliumsources as germplasm. We use exist-range of diseases and increase foragebreeding reached 1 million euro in 2015ing and new cultivars, and we regularly quality. In New Zealand, Stirling saysboth in conventional breeding andsample from some of the major germ-they are mostly concerned with selectionbiotechnologies to support breeding.plasm banks and we make private seed for resistance to crown and stem rusts,He says combining the most favorablecollection expeditions around the world. net blotch, fusarium, and ergot. Woltersaspects of both genera while avoidingIn New Zealand we have had difficulty states for DSV, the most importanttheir weaknesses and create a varietyacquiring lesser known Lolium and diseases in Festulolium are crownrust,that is homogenous and will remainFestuca species which are not listed on leafspot and snowmold. stable.our allowable to be imported scheduled When it comes to diseases, WidentWe have a long experience with thelist. This list was developed in a random says they are generally looking at thespecies in Central Europe, were farmersmanner by our NZ authorities approxi-same diseases that are affecting theare growing it in grass-legumes mixturesmately 12 years ago and this has led to a parental species: Fungal pathogens likefor more than 30 years already, Widentrestriction of some species which would the rust complex and Helminthosporium.says, adding it has been introduced moreundoubtedly have value for Festulolium He says they are also looking very closelyrecently in Western Europe. But it ishybridisation and for useful endophyte at the bacterial pests, like Xanthomonas.crucial to stay aligned with what growersdiscovery and incorporation.SWIn terms of other breeding targets,want.Cernoch mentions that drought resist- Cernoch says that they are using 62/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2019'