The effect of photoperiod on flowering, growth habit, and dry matter production in four species of the genus Stylosanthes SW

Abstract

S. humilis H.B.K., S. guyanensis (Aubl.) Sw. subsp, guyanensis, S. mucronata Willd., and S. montevidensis Vog. were subjected to photoperiods of 8,10,12, and 14 hr in the CSIRO Phytotron in Canberra. S. guyanensis and S. humilis appeared to be short-day plants and S,.montevidensis a long-day plant for flowering. S. mucronata showed a rather indefinite response, but appeared to flower more rapidly under short days than under long days. Under photoperiods of 8 and 10 hr, S. humilis had a prostrate habit and S. montevidensis plants were stunted, while under photoperiods of 12 and 14 hr both species grew erect. S. guyanensis and S. mucronata showed no differences in growth habit with photoperiod. Dry matter yields for the 12 and 14 hr photoperiods were significantly larger than those for the 8 and 10 hr photoperiods for all species except S. mucronata, which gave a significantly higher yield only under the 14 hr photoperiod.