Inbreeding can lead to inbreeding depression and an extreme loss of vigour. Seed is usually produced outside the areas of production. Breeding materials need to be evaluated in both the area of seed production and the area of forage production. Breeding programs often space-plant seeds. The resulting plant may perform differently than it would if seed were broadcast or drilled.
Performance needs to be evaluated when the cultivar is grown in a mixed plant community.
New cultivar development is limited because profitability is low. Cultivars tend to be adapted to relatively small areas which limits potential sales. Introgression of rhizomes into autogamous germplasm. Seaney, R.R., and P.R. Henson. Advances in Agronomy.