Initial Biomass Production and Soluble Carbohydrate Partitioning of Contrasting Elephantgrass Genotypes

Initial Biomass Production and Soluble Carbohydrate Partitioning of Contrasting Elephantgrass Genotypes

The initial growth and soluble carbohydrate (SC) partitioning were examined in the following classes of elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) genotypes: Dwarf (Anão, Mott and Roxo); Cameroon (Cameroon, Cameroon Piracicaba and Vruckwona); Embrapa hybrids (CNPGL F27-5 and Pioneiro); Interspecific hybrids (Hexaploide 201, Mercker X 23-A and Napier X 23-A; Mercker (Mercker Comum, Mercker Pinda and Teresópolis); and Napier (E.C. Itapemirim, Mineiro and Napier). After a 60-day growing period, total, leaf, stem and root FW and DW and stem, stem base, leaf and root SC content were determined. Cameroon-class cultivars showed the highest leaf and stem DW and whole stem SC levels. Cv. Napier exhibited the highest stem base SC content, suggesting superior regrowth capability. Dwarf-class cultivars showed reduced leaf DW and low stem base SC levels, indicating poor regrowth potential. Embrapa hybrids were high on both leaf and root SC contents, and the implications of such an attribute need to be verified.