Comparison of varieties and hybrids of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in hydromorfic soil

Abstract

Twelve varieties and hybrids of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) were compared on a hydromorfic soil, at Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The green forage and dry matter production and the leaf stem ratios for two wet periods and two dry periods are presented, as well as the average percentage of dry matter and protein in leaves, stems and total plant. During the wet season the best variety was Mineiro that yielded per hectare 117 tons of green forage containing 21.4 tons of dry matter in the first period studied and 180 tons of green forage containing 30 tons of dry matter in the second one. Other varieties that presented good production in these periods were "Napier de Goiás", "Mole de Volta Grande", "Costa Rica" and "Albano", the worst ones being "Porto Rico 534" and "Porto Rico". During the dry season the best varieties were: Mineiro, Mole de Volta Grande e Napier de Goiás, although the first one outyielded the two others having produced per hectare 15.3 tons and 20.3 tons of green forage respectively in 1967 and 1968.