ISSN:
1573-5060
Keywords:
elephantgrass
;
interspecific hybrid
;
hexaploid
;
pearl millet
;
Pennisetum purpureum
;
Pennisetum glaucum
;
seed
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Summary Successful widespread use of a forage or biomass plant depends largely on its ease of establishment. Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) is used for both forage and biomass production, due to its high dry matter production, aggressiveness, perenniality, and forage quality. However, lack of high quality seed has limited the use of elephantgrass and its hybrids to pearl millet (P. glaucum L. R.Br.). Development of a seed-propagated pearl millet x elephantgrass hexaploid cultivar, which would combine desirable characteristics from both of these species, would be highly desirable. The objectives of this study were to characterize morphological and seed-related traits from the selfed progeny of seven hexaploid hybrids, and to determine whether seed size had any influence on these traits. Traits studied included number of tillers, height, leaf length and width, panicles per plant, days to flowering, panicle length, seed set, seed production, and weight of 100 seeds. Genetic differences were found among the progeny of the seven hybrids. Differences were also found between plants derived from large- and small-seed lots within families. Plants descended from larger seed had better growth and seed-related characteristics, which resulted in more desirable plants. These hexaploid hybrids showed potential for direct seeding into the field for biomass or forage production.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00022737
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