Agronomic Behavior of Cenchrus purpureus Varieties Tolerant to Salinity

Abstract

A study was made at the Experimental Station of Pastures and Forages, at the Jorge Dimitrov Agricultural Research Institute to determine the effect of cutting age (60, 90, 120 days), and cultivar (CT-500 and CT-115) of new varieties of Cenchrus purpureus on some yield components . The effects of cutting age (3), cultivar (2), and their interaction (3 x 2), on yields and some agronomic variables were controlled by a randomized block design. Interaction did not to affect the morphological variables of leaves and stems, though it did affect plant height. The cultivars had significant differences (P < 0.001) for the ages of 60 and 90 days; whereas for the number of basal shoots and percent of dry matter in the whole plant, CT-115 was significantly higher at 60 and 120 days, respectively. The total growth rate and biomass duration significantly phased out at 90 days, in favor of CT-500. Both varieties showed potential for high dry matter production per hectare, and only differed (P < 0.001) from the 120 days in the forage areas with saline soils. These results must be considered as preliminary data for the design of a variety structure in saline forage areas.

Keywords

• morphology
• productivity
• cenchrus purpureus