The 2008 Joint Meeting of the Society for Range Management and the America Forage and Grassland Council. |
Monday, January 28, 2008
21
Germplasm Evaluation of Rhizoma Peanut for Growth and Forage Potential
M. Anowarul Islam1, Twain J. Butler1, and Andrea L. Maas2. (1) Forage Improvement Division, The Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK 73401, (2) Crop Genetics and Breeding Unit, USDA-ARS, Coastal Plain Experiment Station, P.O. Box 748, Tifton, GA 31793
Rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) is a warm-season perennial forage legume, adapted to southern USA . It has similar dry matter (DM) and nutritive value to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Recent studies indicated that rhizoma peanut can be grown further north (zone ≥8b) than previously suggested. However, slow establishment and limited winter hardiness are of major concern for this legume. An experiment has been initiated in Ardmore, Oklahoma with 22 germplasm lines of rhizoma peanut to test their potential for establishment, growth, and winter hardiness. The experimental design was a randomized block with two replications. The experiment was planted in May 17, 2006. Shoot counts were made at 0, 14, 30, 60, and 90 days after planting (DAP), whereas spread and coverage were recorded at 60, 90, 120, and 150, and 120 and 150 DAP, respectively. In 2007, coverage was recorded at seven day intervals (April 27–July 24), while spread, height, and DM were measured on July 24. There were differences (P<0.001) between some lines for shoot count however, the general trend was a gradual increase with the advancement of time (10-48 shoots/plant at 90 DAP). A similar trend was also observed for spread (49-74 inches), and coverage (13-88%). Emergence of new shoots started in late April 2007, and continued to increase in coverage in late July (1-99%). Selection A160 and PI 262819 had the greatest coverage (95 to 99%), spread (45 to 55 inches), height (14 to 12 inches), and DM (1273 to 1171 lb/ac) which were not significantly different from each other (P>0.05). It seems promising that selection A160 and PI 262819 have potential for winter hardiness and DM at this northern location. Further evaluations will be continued in 2007 and 2008 at two additional locations in OK and TX on sandy and loamy soils.