Publication Date
1985
Description
Irrigated perennial grasses of tropical origin are important fodder crops in Israel (32°N). However, in contrast to the tropics, hot bright summers alterate with cool winters in Mediterranean regions, and, during the growing season, the diurnal temperature variation is about 13°C. A study to investigate the growth of tropical pearl millet x napiergrass interspecific hybrids in a Mediterranean environment was undertaken. The response to temperature was studied in a phytotron under conditions of high solar radiation. The plants were grown under various temperature combinations ranging from 17/12 to 32/27°C (day/night), and from a constant temperature regime up to a diurnal variation of 20°C. The maximum growth rate of plants grown under a diurnal variation of 13°C was 80% of that obtained under a constant day/night regime. The optimum mean daily temperature for growth was 3°C lower under l3°C diurnal variation whereas the critical temperature (at which growth ceases) was only 2°C below that of constant day/night conditions. Under 'nostress' conditions in the field, a mean crop growth rate of 250 kg ha-1 day-1 was recorded for a seven month-long growing season. The high growth rate attained in the phytotron and in the field suggest that pennisetum hybrids are well acclimated to the local environment, but for higher annual dry matter yields the selection of new genotypes with a wider thermal adaptation for the low temperatures of early spring and late autumn are desired.
Citation
Kipnis, T; Granot, I; and Dovrat, A, "Growth of Tropical Grasses under Different Temperatures: Pearl Millet x Napiergrass Interspecific Hybrids" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 24.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session14/24
Included in
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Growth of Tropical Grasses under Different Temperatures: Pearl Millet x Napiergrass Interspecific Hybrids
Irrigated perennial grasses of tropical origin are important fodder crops in Israel (32°N). However, in contrast to the tropics, hot bright summers alterate with cool winters in Mediterranean regions, and, during the growing season, the diurnal temperature variation is about 13°C. A study to investigate the growth of tropical pearl millet x napiergrass interspecific hybrids in a Mediterranean environment was undertaken. The response to temperature was studied in a phytotron under conditions of high solar radiation. The plants were grown under various temperature combinations ranging from 17/12 to 32/27°C (day/night), and from a constant temperature regime up to a diurnal variation of 20°C. The maximum growth rate of plants grown under a diurnal variation of 13°C was 80% of that obtained under a constant day/night regime. The optimum mean daily temperature for growth was 3°C lower under l3°C diurnal variation whereas the critical temperature (at which growth ceases) was only 2°C below that of constant day/night conditions. Under 'nostress' conditions in the field, a mean crop growth rate of 250 kg ha-1 day-1 was recorded for a seven month-long growing season. The high growth rate attained in the phytotron and in the field suggest that pennisetum hybrids are well acclimated to the local environment, but for higher annual dry matter yields the selection of new genotypes with a wider thermal adaptation for the low temperatures of early spring and late autumn are desired.
