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Forage Morphology and Productivity of Different Species of Tripsacum under Sub-Humid Tropical Conditions Aw2.
1 , * 1 , 2
1  INIFAP - Campo Experimental Santiago Ixcuintla. Km. 6 Entronque Carr. Internacional México-Nogales. Santiago Ixcuintla, Nayarit C.P. 63300. México
2  Colegio de Postgraduados en Ciencias Agrícolas-Campus Montecillo, Ganadería. Carretera México – Texcoco km 36.5, Montecillo, Texcoco, Estado de México. C. P. 56230. México

Abstract:

Morphology and forage productivity of 25 Tripsacum spp. materials were characterized under tropical conditions (Aw2) in Nayarit, Mexico. Treatments included: Tripsacum latifolium, T. australe var. Australe, Tripsacum spp., T. dactyloides (cv. Meridionale and Hispidum), T. bravum, T. manisuroides, T. zopilotense, T. andersonii, T. lanceolatum, T. floridanum, T. laxum, T. cundinamarceae, T. intermedium, T. maizar, and T. peruvianum. Five in row equidistant plants (1.5 m) and three rows (replicates) per species, were evaluated and fertilized using 100-60-00 per year. Variables included: plant mean height, leading flowered stem’s height, plant crown circumference, basal cover, tillers per crown, forage yield and growth rates. Data was analyzed through a completely randomized design including 25 treatments (species, varieties, and/or ecotypes) and LSD tests for mean separation. Differences (P<0.01) were observed among morphological, productive variables, and species. Oustanding material included T. latifolium and T. australe (8.3 and 5.6 kg DM per plant). Forage production ranged (P<0.01) from 22% to 1405%, in comparison with the local ecotype T. dactyloides. Morphology and forage productivity within Tripsacum is highly variable, according to the genetic diversity available within this native to México genus, suggesting that Tripsacum agamic complex presents enormus forage production potential for its promotion under grazing for rain-fed systems.

Keywords: Tropic; Tripsacum; Morphology; Forage production; Growth rates
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