Biomass Yields for Kenyan Brachiaria Grass Ecotypes Grown Under Varying Water Stress Conditions
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Date
2022-08-26
Authors
Ochola, C. A.
Ngugi, M. P.
Nyaboga, E. N.
Njarui, D M.G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EAAFJ
Abstract
Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) grass is an important forage for
livestock production in Kenya. However, the suitability
of Brachiaria grass as a feed option will require the
identification of locally adapted and high yielding ecotypes
for breeding. Some of the Brachiaria varieties developed
from other countries and introduced in Kenya are
susceptible to diseases and drought. The aim of this study
was to evaluate various Kenyan Brachiaria grass ecotypes
for biomass production under different soil moisture
stress conditions. A screenhouse trial was established in
April 2021 with thirty-two Kenyan Brachiaria ecotypes
and three varieties at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock
Research Organization (KALRO), Katumani. Actively
growing rooted tillers of each ecotype were transplanted
in plastic pots using forest soil, sand and manure at a
ratio of 3:2:1. The pots were subjected to four water
stress treatment conditions during the growing period.
The plant height, number of tillers per plant and above
the ground biomass yield was determined after 28 days
of stress treatment. There was large genotypic variability
in the studied traits of Brachiaria genotypes in both nonstressed (control) and drought stressed plants. Drought
stress significantly reduced all the traits studied with 25%
Field Capacity being the most severe. Ecotype N13 was
the tallest while Kisii produced the highest number of
tillers. There was a strong positive correlation between
the number of tillers and biomass yield. Kakamega, Kisii
and Busia genotypes were the most productive under
severe moisture stress and thus may be useful in breeding
strategies for improved forage yield to increase livestock
productivity
Description
Article
Keywords
biomass, tiller number, plant height, water stress
Citation
Ochola, C. A., Ngugi, M. P., Nyaboga, E. N., & Njarui, D. M. (2022). Biomass Yields for Kenyan Brachiaria Grass Ecotypes Grown Under Varying Water Stress Conditions. East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 86(1-2), 10. Retrieved from https://www.kalro.org/www.eaafj.or.ke/index.php/path/article/view/549