Growth and development of Makarikari grasses and three other subtropical species grown in the field at Toowoomba, Queensland

Abstract

In the period from emergence to flowering, the growth of two Makarikari grass (Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense) cultivars was slower than Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), green panic (Panicum maximum var. trichoglume), and Kabulabula panic (Panicum kabulabula) due largely to differences in tiller development in the period from 16 to 25 days after plant emergence. Further measurement of the four Panicum species showed that only the Makarikari grasses continued tillering after flowering, and the patterns of tiller development explained the visual growth ratings accredited the species in initial plant selection studies. Better recovery by both Makarikari grasses than the other Panicum species after overwintering, was attributed to a lower percentage mortality of tiller initials, due to the production of a greater number of tillers in the first season. No differences in growth and development were measured between the Makarikari grass cultivars Pollock and Bambatsi in the first summer after sowing. Pollock was, however, superior in the second summer, a finding that may have been confounded by a better ability to recover after winter.