INFLUENCE OF MATURITY ON MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERS AND BIOMASS OF BUFFEL GRASS

Abstract

A study was conducted at Forestry Research Institute Faisalabad to determine the influence of maturity on morphological characters and biomass of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris Linn.). The experiment was laid according to Completely Randomized design with four replications. Four clipping stages i.e. CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4 (clipped after 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, respectively) were studied. Response variables were morphological characters (plant height, number of tillers per plant, basal circumference and leaf to stem ratio) and plant biomass. With increasing clipping stage (plant maturity), plant height, tiller density and basal circumference increased. However, leaf to stem ratio declined with advancing plant maturity. Herbage yield or biomass production of the species increased (P<0.05) with advancing plant maturity. Phenology of the species indicated that as the species progressed towards maturity, the proportion of vegetative parts on the plants declined. It is suggested that one month clipping stage should be applied on this grass in order to get sustained grass vigor and enough vegetative growth.