Preliminary agronomic evaluation of some perennial Urochloa species over a range of environments

Abstract

Twenty Urochloa accessions, representing four species, were grown as small swards for a 2 to 4 year period at five sites. The sites cover a wide range of tropical environments. Dry matter production and 'secondary attributes' were observed at strategically important times at the various sites. Various forms of analysis were applied to the resulting information and species, or species forms, of particular agronomic interest were delineated. Two accessions appear to have outstanding potential. The implications of the methods used and results obtained are discussed in relation to plant introduction and plant evaluation programs, and the high potential value of the genus noted.