Hybrid pennisetum in a warm temperate climate: effects of plant density on summer production

Abstract

Productivity of vegetatively propagated hybrid pennisetum (Pennisetum americanum x P. purpureum) was assessed throughout summer in two years at densities of 1,4 and 9 plants m-2 at two time of defoliation schedules under natural rainfall and with spray irrigation. In the establishment year the highest summer yield was 10 t ha-1 and in the second year 18 t ha-1. In both years yields did not increase above 4 plants m-2 under natural rainfall and did not differ more than 20 per cent according to the defoliation schedule or irrigation treatment. The regrowth after defoliation, perennation and attainment of higheryielding sward in the second season suggest hybrid pennisetum is more suited to certain multiple forage cropping systems than are annual tropical grasses, e.g. pearl millet, sorghum and corn.