Performance of perennial tropical grasses in different Mediterranean environments in southern Italy

Abstract

A 3-year trial at 3 different locations in southern Italy was conducted to assess winter survival, forage yield and quality and seed production of 23 accessions of C 4 perennial grasses native to Africa and America and a C 3 species native to Italy (Festuca arundinacea), which was used as a control. Thirteen C 4 grasses [Sorghum almum, S. spp. hybrids (Silk sorghum), Panicum maximum, Eragrostis curvula, Chloris gayana, Panicum coloratum, Panicum virgatum, Paspalum dilatatum, Bouteloua curtipendula, Sorghastrum nutans, Sporobolus airoides, Buchloe dactyloides] along with F. arundinacea showed good winter survival at all 3 locations. S. almum and Silk sorghum gave the highest DM yields (mean 39.1 and 35.0 t/ha, respectively), while E. curvula, P. maximum and C. gayana yielded between 19.1 and 17.3 t/ha. F. arundinacea yielded 8.6 t/ ha. P. dilatatum and S. airoides had the highest CP concentration (10.6 and 10.5%, respectively) and the lowest NDF (62 and 66%, respectively) and ADF (31%). Seed yields ranged between 100 and 900 kg/ha, with S. almum, Silk sorghum, B. dactyloides, F. arundinacea and P. coloratum yielding between 900 and 600 kg/ha.