Genetic variability in birdwood grass (Cenchrus setigerus) for forage yield and its component traits

Abstract

Identification of birdwood grass genotypes with higher forage yield is essential to boost the use of birdwood grass for direct consumption to milch animals and to sustain the arid rangeland. Twenty four germplasm lines along with one check (CAZRI 76) variety possessing high forage yield were evaluated for two seasons at CAZRI, RRS, Kukma, Bhuj. Analysis of data indicated that the germplasm differed significantly for all the traits. Genotypes viz., CAZRI- BH-CS- 15 and CAZRI-BH-CS- 3 exhibited high per se performance for green fodder yield, dry fodder yield and their component characters. While assessing overall position in both the environments over pooled basis, the present study revealed high genetic advance as percentage of mean (genetic gain) alongwith high estimates of heritability and genotypic coefficient of variation for number of leaves per plant, green fodder yield (kg/ha) and dry fodder yield (kg/ha). On the basis of green and dry fodder yield, birdwood grass germplasm CAZRI-BH-CS-3, CAZRIBH- CS-4, CAZRI-BH-CS-7, CAZRI-BH-CS-13, CAZRIBH- CS-15, CAZRI-BH-CS-16, CAZRI-BH-CS-17, CAZRIBH- CS-19 and CAZRI-BH-CS-24 appeared promising which could be gainfully utilized.