Growth and production of 2 cultivars (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) on regrowth phase

Abstract

This study aimed to determine growth and production of two Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. Cultivars: GU-1 (Accession 1 from Gama Ray) and local on regrowth phase. The defoliation treatment was conducted for 120 days from regrowth phase 1 and 2 of both cultivars, with three replicates for each dose. Grasses were planted with space 1×1 m and then divided into three plots. Variables observed in the study included vegetative growth (plant height, plant length, segments length, leaves length, stem diameter, and number of tiller) and biomass production (fresh, dry matter, and organic matter production). The study used split-plot design with main-plot was regrowth phase, sub-plot was cultivars (GU-1 and local). Statistically significant results with ANOVA (α=0.05) were followed by Duncan’s new multiple range test. The results showed that GU-1 produced higher (P<0.05) biomass production on fresh (141.79 t/ha), dry matter (25.85 t/ha), and organic matter production (22.96 t/ha) than local Napiergrass. Regrowth phase 2 showed higher plant length, number of tiller and biomass production than those in phase 1. It can be concluded that napiergrass of GU-1 cultivar had higher biomass production than local. Defoliation can increase vegetative growth and biomass production of napiergrass.