A maternal factor conferring resistance to crown rust in Lolium multiflorum cv. `Axis'

The genetic basis for crown rust resistance was analysed in the progeny of reciprocal crosses between Lolium multiflorum plants that were either resistant (cv. `Axis') or susceptible to crown rust. The progeny harvested from the resistant parent was two- to seven-fold more resistant than the progeny harvested from the susceptible parent. These data indicate the presence of a maternal factor which increases resistance to crown rust in some of the ryegrass plants used as parents.