Kikuyu Grass: A Valuable Salt-Tolerant Fodder Grass
نویسندگان
چکیده
The turf grass Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. (kikuyu grass) is one of the candidate plants for utilization and reclamation of salinized areas. The capability of kikuyu grass to grow under saline conditions was tested during 6 months, under various irrigation treatments (tap water control, 80-mM, 150-mM, 200-mM, 240mM NaCl). Plant biomass production was visibly affected only at NaCl concentrations greater than 150-mM NaCl. Plant growth and plant regeneration capability in the 200and 240-mM NaCl treatments gradually decreased as the experiment progressed in time. The photosynthetic potential of the plants remained unchanged and was neither affected by the treatment nor with time. Proline content of leaves as well as the content of Naþ and Cl increased with increasing salinity stress. Apparently, kikuyu grass can withstand moderate concentrations of NaCl for prolonged periods and under repeated mowing. Thus, this grass can be used as a potential ground cover and as fodder grass in saline habitats.
منابع مشابه
Fusarium species isolated from Pennisetum clandestinum collected during outbreaks of kikuyu poisoning in cattle in South Africa.
Kikuyu poisoning occurs sporadically in South Africa. It is of major economic importance, as valuable dairy cows are often poisoned by it, and once affected, the mortality rate is high. Pennisetum clandestinum samples were collected during eight outbreaks of kikuyu poisoning in cattle in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa from 2008 to 2010. The kikuyu grass samples were submitted specifi...
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