Genetic variability in napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum (K.) Schum).

摘要

Forty genotypes of napier grass originating from Australia, Hawaii, Kenya and Puerto Rico were evaluated for green fodder yield, yield components and quality parameters at the fourth harvest, after 6.5 months of growth at Coimbatore. Heritability combined with high genetic advance were estimated for leaf weight, green fodder yield, stem weight, crude fat content, number of leaves and tillers/plant, plant height, crude protein content and stem diameter, indicating that these characters are controlled by additive gene effects. Crude fibre content also exhibited high heritability but with low genetic advance. Oxalic acid content exhibited low heritability and low genetic advance which indicates this trait and crude fibre content are controlled by non-additive gene action. As some traits are controlled by additive and others by non-additive genes, diallel selective mating or reciprocal recurrent selection may improve yield and quality components.