Dry matter distribution of banderita grass [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] at different plant strata

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the dry matter distribution of banderita grass [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.] in different plant strata.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized block experimental design with five repetitions was used for the experiment. Each repetition consisted of three plants which were evaluated at different days after sowing (DAS), in three different plant strata: basal stratum (BS), middle stratum (MS), and upper or apical stratum (AS). The following variables were evaluated: dry matter yield (DMY), morphological composition (MC), leaf area (LA), plant height (PH), leaf:stem ratio (L:SR), and aerial part:root ratio (Ap:rR). An analysis of variance was performed, using the PROC GLM procedure of the SAS software; in addition, a comparison of means was carried out using Tukey’s test (α<0.05).
 Results: SB made a greater contribution to DMY at 50 DAS, with a 16 g DMY plant-1 average, followed by MS, with 9 g DM plant-1, and AS with 3 g plant-1. The MC (g) in the BS registered that the stem made a greater contribution than the rest of the components (average: 12.3 g plant-1), while leaves from the MS and AS made the greatest contribution (2.6 g plant-1) up to 64 DAS. However, they were surpassed by the stem in the MS and by the inflorescence in the AS. In addition, BS registered the highest LA (173.4 cm2). The largest PH was recorded at 120 DAS (96 cm). The highest L:SR ratio reached 1.10 at 50 DAS, while Ap:rR recorded 3.82 at 92 DAS.
 Study Limitations/Implications: The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Therefore, any extrapolation or comparison with field conditions should be done with caution.
 Findings/Conclusions: The basal and middle part of a banderita grass (Bouteloua curtipendula) plant contains the highest forage accumulation (mainly in the leaves and the stem), while the highest biomass content in the apical part is produced by the inflorescence.