Abstract

This study was conducted to highlight the forage potentials of related Pennisetumspecies through interspecific hybridization. Non-reciprocal crosses were made involving two selections of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) (♂), S.13 and S.15, and five cultivated pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) (♀) genotypes in Nigeria viz., Dauro, Gero A, Maiwa 25-2, Maiwa 28-1 and Maiwa 94-2, in September 2009. In May 2010, germination test and preliminary screening for successful crosses were conducted. Successful hybrids with Dauro and Maiwa genotypes were transplanted to the field at 90 × 90 cm spacing for forage evaluation from June to December 2010. Three harvests, at six-weekly interval, were obtained from the plants cut at 30 cm above ground level. ANOVA showed significant differences (p = 0.05) between harvest intervals, plant height (cm) and dry matter content (%) of the hybrids, except dry matter yields (g/m²). Dry matter content of the hybrids negatively correlated with plant height (r = -0.434). Dry matter yield had significant positive correlation with plant height (r = 0.780). Maiwa 94-2 x S.13 and Maiwa 28-1 x S.13 were not significantly different (p = 0.05) as they out-yielded other hybrids in dry matter yields and were associated with satisfactory forage potentials.

Key words: Breeding genetics, dry matter yields, dry matter con