| M. A. Sanderson, P. Voigt, and R. M. Jones |
| Authors are research agronomist, USDA-ARS Pasture Systems and Watershed Management Research Laboratory, Curtin Road, University Park, Penn. 16802-3702; research geneticist, USDA-ARS Appalachian Soil and Water Conservation Laboratory, P.O. Box 400, Beaver, W. Virg. 25813-0400; and research scientist, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, Tex. 76401. At the time of the research, the senior author was associate professor, Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, Tex. |
Abstract |
| Warm-season perennial bunchgrasses frequently are used for hay and grazing in central Texas. We compared 6 alternative grasses with 2 more commonly grown species [‘Ermelo' weeping lovegrass, (Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees var. curvula Nees) and ‘Selection-75' kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.] on 2 soils during 2 years. Grasses were transplanted into field plots at Stephenville and Temple, Tex. 1993 and harvested 3 times in 1994 and 1995. Weeping lovegrass and ‘WW-B.Dahl' old world bluestem [Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake] were the highest yielding (P < 0.05) grasses and averaged 9,350 and 7,630 kg dry matter ha-1 in 1994 and 1995, respectively. ‘Irene' tufted digitgrass (Digitaria eriantha Stued.) and kleingrass produced similar (P > 0.05) yields (6,560 and 6,340 kg dry matter ha-1). Experimental line 409–704 buffelgrass [Cenchrus ciliaris L. syn. Pennisetum ciliare (L.) Link], ‘Carostan' flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum Greisb.), ‘Palar' Wilman lovegrass (Eragrostis superba Peyr.), and P.I. 269961 Oriental pennisetum (Pennisetum orientale Rich) yielded less than 3,000 kg dry matter ha-1 at Stephenville and were invaded by weeds. Tillers per plant generally explained most of the yield differences as plant density was held constant. Ermelo lovegrass and WW-B.Dahl old world bluestem produced 2 to 3 times more tillers plant-1 than other grasses. Concentrations of neutral detergent fiber were higher (P < 0.05) in digitgrass and the lovegrasses than in other grasses (39 vs 36% of dry matter). These data indicate that WW-B.Dahl old world bluestem and Irene tufted digitgrass should be useful in forage-livestock systems in central Texas. |
| Key Words: kleingrass, lovegrass, old world bluestem, digitgrass, flaccidgrass, buffelgrass |