Evaluation of Some Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana) Genotypes for Their Salt Tolerance, Biomass Yield and Nutrient Composition

Abstract

The livestock productivity in Ethiopia is seriously constrained by the shortage of fodder due to increasing soil salinization. Therefore, restoration of salt-affected lands into productive soils through salt-tolerant forages and improved irrigation and crop management practices is crucial for enhancing the productivity of the livestock sector in Ethiopia. In this three-year study, pot trials were conducted to evaluate the impact of five different soil salinity levels (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 dS m−1) on plant growth, biomass production, and nutrient quality attributes of three Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) genotypes (ILRI-6633, ILRI-7384, CV-massaba). Increasing soil salinity negatively affected germination percentage (GP) and mean germination time (MGT) of all genotypes. For all salinity levels, the highest GP was observed for ILRI-6633 and the lowest for CV-massaba. Plant height and chlorophyll content for ILRI-6633 was higher than the other two genotypes. The crude protein (CP) content was higher in low dry matter-producing genotype (ILRI-7384). The performance of ILRI-6633 at all salinity levels was superior to the other two genotypes. CV-massaba genotype performed better under low to medium soil salinity conditions. Therefore, ILRI-6633 and CV-massaba genotypes have excellent potential to increase forage production in salt-affected areas of Ethiopia.

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

“…Crude protein: Grasses are the mainstay in animal nutrition because their nutritive profile like protein has the primary responsibility to meet the nutritional demands of ruminants for their improved growth, maintenance and production [55]. It is generally known that a minimum > 120 to 180 g/kg DM CP in forage material is sufficient for optimum growth and performance of ruminants [56].…”

Effect of Salinity on Growth and Some Photosynthetic Pigments of Improved Population in Puccinellia ciliata (Poaceae)

“…With the increase of NaCl concentration, salinity treatment resulted in significant reduction in both shoot and dry weights of buffalograss cultivars blue grama ecotypes [5] Puccinellia ciliata [2] and Puccinellia distans [6]. Other researcher reports indicate that higher salinity conditions signifycantly affect the tiller production of Chloris gayana plants [7]. There is "puccinellia" population improved by our breeding studies under the salinity, alkalinity and waterlogged conditions.…”

Reclamation and amelioration of saline-sodic soil using gypsum and halophytic grasses: Case of Golina-Addisalem irrigation scheme, Raya Kobo Valley, Ethiopia

“…In Ethiopia, many researches have done at Amibara, Melka Sedi, and Melka Werner dryland irrigation areas for reclaiming saline-sodic soil either using gypsum with leaching or by halophytic species alone (Abegaz, 2018;Ashenafi Worku & Nisaren, 2019;Qureshi et al, 2018). For a successful reclamation of saline-sodic soil by the integrated approaches of halophytic species with chemicals is a newly emerging idea for many countries like Egypt and Pakistan in recent decades, but not practiced in Ethiopia.…”