Seed production of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) under different agroecological environments from Tamaulipas, Mexico

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effect of agro-ecological environment on seed production of four varieties of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). The study was conducted in two localities from Tamaulipas State (Victoria and Tula), Mexico. The varieties used were: Common, Nuts, T-1754 and Formidable. Design was a randomized complete block with a factorial arrangement; the factors under consideration were the location and variety. The number, length (cm) and weight (g) of the spikes, number of spikelet and number and weight of the caryopsis were measured. The mean number of spikes per plant, length and weight of the spike were 17.1, 5.8 cm and 0.31 g, respectively; observing differences (P<.05) between locations. The largest number of spikes was observed in the variety Formidable (28.9), surpassing the variety Nuts (10.6) but no significant effect (P>.05) within variety. Similarly, the number of spikelet per spike and number and weight of the caryopsis were affected by locality (P<.05). In this case the Nuts variety showed higher number of spikelet per spike (63.1), while the Common variety produced, only 26.6 spikelet's per spike. Finally, the weights of the caryopsis were 0.023, 0.018, 0.015 and 0.012 g for the varieties T-1754, Formidable, Nuts and Common, respectively. We conclude that the local agro-ecological conditions influenced the seed production of varieties of Buffel grass.