The chromosome numbers and reproductive variation of seven important pasture grasses from South Africa are compared. This comparison indicates that all these species form polyploid complexes, all reproduce both sexually and either apomictically or vegetatively, and some form of hybridization or cross?fertilization occurs in each species. The ecological success of these species can, therefore, be attributed to the fact that they combine the advantages of polyploidy and apomixis and, at the same time, bypass the disadvantages with their hybridization potential.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.