Inter-strain Variations in Pennisetum pedicellatum

Variations in morphological and agronomical characters of a number of selections of the grass Pennisetum pedicellatum have been studied. They have been classified into 6 types on the number of spikelets per spike, viz. one sessile spikelet, 2. one pedicellate spikelet, 3. two spikelets (one sessile and one pedicellate), 4. one spikelet in the upper region; two spikelets in the middle region; and three spikelets in the lower region of the inflorescence, 5. two-three-four spikelets (mixed population in the inflorescence) and 6. three spikelet. Within each of these groups there were also a number of types which differed in their vegetative character and in the colour of the inflorescence at the time of anthesis. Bagging of inflorescences indicated that the strains may be self-fertile and these types can be further classified into early, medium and late varieties according to their maturity. Significant varietal differences were obtained in their green herbage yields. The medium maturing varieties generally gave highest yields than the early and late maturing ones.