Track 1-04: Germplasm Preservation, Domestication and Use of Native Forage Plants
Publication Date
2013
Location
Sydney, Australia
Description
Giant panicum (Panicum maximum Jacq.) is a tall, vigorous perennial grass that is native to tropical and sub-tropical Africa. It is drought tolerant due to its deep and dense fibrous roots system and grows in a wide range of soil types. It is an important livestock feed and has been extensively cultivated in Brazil (Santos et al. 2006). Despite its wide genetic diversity in East Africa, its potential for livestock feed has not been exploited there due to limited research. Our research was aimed at evaluating the production of several giant panicum ecotypes in contrasting environments in semi-arid areas of Kenya.
Citation
Njarui, Donald M. G.; Gatheru, Mwangi; Mwangi, David Miano; and Keya, George A., "Production of Giant Panicum in Contrasting Environments in Semi-Arid Kenya" (2013). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 19.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/22/1-4/19)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Production of Giant Panicum in Contrasting Environments in Semi-Arid Kenya
Sydney, Australia
Giant panicum (Panicum maximum Jacq.) is a tall, vigorous perennial grass that is native to tropical and sub-tropical Africa. It is drought tolerant due to its deep and dense fibrous roots system and grows in a wide range of soil types. It is an important livestock feed and has been extensively cultivated in Brazil (Santos et al. 2006). Despite its wide genetic diversity in East Africa, its potential for livestock feed has not been exploited there due to limited research. Our research was aimed at evaluating the production of several giant panicum ecotypes in contrasting environments in semi-arid areas of Kenya.
