An assessment of variation in foothills rough fescue [Festuca campestris (Rydb.)] in southern Alberta

The genetic diversity of native plants is thought to be an important consideration in the selection of appropriate material for reclamation. Field trials were c onducted in southern Alberta to determine the genetic variability, expressed through phenotypic and performance attributes, of several populations of foothills rough fescue [ Festuca campestris (Rydb.)] found in southern Alberta and south-central British Co lumbia. The objectives of this study were to determine the extent of genetic variability among plants of foothills rough fescue. Sixty-four plants from four populations were sampled in 1992, propagated vegetatively to produce clones for replicated trials a nd planted in four locations in 1993. Eleven plant characteristics, including phenotypic and performance variables, were observed from 1994 to 1997. Since the plants were grown in common environments, variations among them were assumed to be caused by gen etic differences. All variables were affected ( P < 0.05) by collection site and, with a few exceptions, test location, year and their two and three-way interactions. The most important factors specific to our objectives were collection site and its interact ions with test location and year. The rough fescue plants expressed differences ( P < 0.05) among populations for all selected traits but displayed considerable overlap in the range of values for all variables both within and among test sites. Therefore, wh ile the populations may be different, individuals within populations have common attributes that suggest sufficient genetic variability to allow successful establishment over a greater range of environmental variability than present at their origins. Resu lts from a secondary test suggest that selection pressure, induced by grazing, resulted in genotypes that were more winter-hardy. However, this observation needs further validation with a more robust test. Key words: