Genetic analysis of Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense caryopsis retention

Panicum coloratum is a species of C-4 type grass native to South Africa. In Argentina, it is valued for its production of good quality forage in environments where resources are limiting, although it is infrequently cultivated in livestock systems. The purpose of this study was to estimate the narrow sense heritability (h(2)) of the caryopses fall character using the Progeny-Parent Regression method and characterise molecular diversity using ISSR-type markers. The only significant value obtained was in week five, which gives an indication of the existence of additive genetic variance and also its stability. The ISSR markers allowed confirming the existence of genetic variability between cultivars and within individuals of the same cultivar through bands and unique alleles per genotype. The individuals of the Kapivera cultivar have been able to genetically differentiate themselves from the individuals of the Bambatsi cultivar by detecting loci and alleles that differentiate both cultivars. These markers proved to be effective for the distinction of the cultivars analysed and a wide variability has been observed in the species. The characterisation of the genetic diversity within the cultivars of P. coloratum var. makarikariense constitutes a fundamental step for its potential incorporation into breeding programs developed in the species.