ARS | Publication request: YIELD, MORPHOLOGY, AND FORAGE QUALITY OF WARM-SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES IN CENTRAL TEXAS

Submitted to: American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: April 13, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Many of the improved grasses used for hay and pasture in Texas are introduced species. The objective of this study was to evaluate several warm-season perennial grasses for yield, morphological traits, and forage quality in central Texas. 'Ermelo' weeping lovegrass and 'WW-B.Dahl' old world bluestem were the highest yielding grasses at both locations in both years. Buffelgrass, 'Carostan' flaccidgrass, and Oriental pennisetum performed poorly and were invaded by weeds. Tufted digitgrass produced as much forage as kleingrass. WW.-B.Dahl old world bluestem matured about 1 month later in spring relative to other old world bluestems such as WW-Spar and WW-Ironmaster. These data indicate that WW-B.Dahl old world bluestem should be useful in forage-livestock systems in central Texas because of its later maturity and good yields. Tufted digitgrass may also be of value; however, additional evaluations are necessary.

Technical Abstract: Eight warm-season perennial grasses were transplanted into field plots at Stephenville and Temple, TX, in 1993. Plots were harvested three times at each location in 1994 and 1995. The number of tillers per plant, individual tiller weight, and forage yield were measured at each harvest. 'Ermelo' weeping lovegrass [Eragrostis curvula (Schrad.) Nees var. curvula Nees] and 'WW-B.Dahl' old world bluestem [Bothriochloa bladhii (Retz) S.T. Blake] were the highest yielding entries in 1994 and 1995. Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum Griseb.), and Oriental pennisetum (P. orientale Rich) performed poorly at Stephenville and were invaded by weeds.