Taming breeding of Rhizom-type Forage Variety Poa pratensis L. var. anceps Gaud. cv. Qinghai in Alpine Area

With the purpose of breeding forage cultivars with strong adaptability,cold-tolerance,drought-resistance,high feeding value,and good production performance,wild Poa pratensis L.were collected around Qinghai Lake and used as breeding material.After mixture selection and taming for many years,Poa pratensis L.var.anceps Gaud.cv.Qinghai was obtained and characterized with developed rhizome stem,cold tolerance,drought resistance,strong adaptability,quick sward forming ability,soil reserve ability,and high forage value as well.The variety had higher hay yield,earlier mature time,longer green period,and less seeds falling rate than the wild variety.P.pratensis L.var.anceps Gaud.cv.Qinghai was approved adaptable to the alpine area and could safely survive the winter at 2000-4200 m altitude and 400 m annual precipitation.The average hay yield of this variety in blooming period was 4484.8 kg·hm-2 and the average seed yield was 422.1 kg·hm-2 at mature stage.