Path coefficient analysis of forage characteristics of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.).

摘要

Correlation and path coefficient analyses for dry mater production and related traits (plant height, diameter of stem at the bases, and number of tillers/m) were conducted for P. purpureum clones grown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The height of plants at harvesting had significant effects on dry matter production mainly in high-tillering clones. The number of tillers/m and diameter of stem at the base had greater effects on dry matter production, the effects being direct and inverse, respectively, varying according to environmental conditions during growth.