Effects of plant density on forage production in five populations of kleingrass

Abstract

Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) forage yield evaluation plots are often established at a density of 6.0 plants m^‐2 to accommodate mechanical transplanting and harvesting equipment. However, forage crops are usually established from seed at higher plant densities. Experiments were conducted to determine if populations respond dissimilarly to planting density, and if the ability to statistically distinguish among populations is density‐dependent. Two, 2‐y studies compared the yield of five populations of kleingrass at three plant densities (6.1, 10.8 and 24.2 plants m^‐2). Although all populations produced more dry matter per plant with decreasing density, population x density interactions were absent. In addition, experiments at all three densities had equivalent power to statistically separate populations. Kleingrass yield trials can be established at a density which will accommodate mechanical transplanting and harvesting equipment with confidence that the relative differences among populations determined from research plots will be similarly observed in swards.

Additional index words:

• Forage yield
• Panicum coloratum