Primary Studies On Eco-biology And Cytology Of Agropyron Cristatum

The studies on botanical, eco-biological, cytological characteristics and produce performance of Agropyron cristatum were carried out on"Experimental Demonstration Base for Industrializing Production Technique of Agropyron cristatum"during the years from 2002 to 2004 in the West Sunite Banner of Xilingol, Inner Mongolia. It provides basic data and technical support for Cultivation and Management and seed propagation of Agropyron cristatum in arid region . The results showed as follows:(1)Agropyron cristatum is cross pollinated forage .There were great difference among plants within populations. It has abound genetic diversity in ecotype and life form of root system, hair characters of seed lemma and leaf epidermis.(2)It has great difference in phenological period, tillering ability and grass and seed yield of Agropyron cristatum at different years. The growth and development are influencing factors on the difference. Moisture is limiting factor on normal growth and development and grass and seed yield. The dry grass yields of 2003 are 4878.30 kg/hm2 and seed yields of 2003 are 710.07 kg/hm2, they are highest; It has weak tillering ability and low grass and seed yield in 2002 which is the second year growing. It has low grass and seed yield for late phenological period and returning green stage in 2004 which is drought year.(3)The roots,stems and leaves of Agropyron cristatum form special morphology and structure to adapt external environment. In cross-sectioned root form 2 middle bark layer next Internal bark layer especial structure of regularly array; epidermis cell of stems and leaves have developed thickened epiderm, leaves epidermis covers hair, it formed developed vascular bundles.(4)Chromosomes of Agropyron cristatum is tetraploid .Its karyotype formula is 2n=28=22m+6sm.The karyotype belong to Stebbins 1A type.