Drought Tolerance in Digitaria

Abstract

Selected clones of 10 Digitaria species were evaluated for drought tolerance in field trials. Grasses were established by vegetative propagation during the wet season. Observations on survival and growth were made at intervals throughout the 25-month duration of the trial. Approximately one-third of the plants failed to survive, with greatest losses occurring during the period of minimum rainfall. Significant differences in survival among species were found; for example, Digitaria decumbens Stent and Digitaria valida Stent are superior to Digitaria diversinervis (Nees) Stapf and Digitaria swazilandensis Stent. Differential performance of clones within species is demonstrated by two accessions; i.e., USDA P.I. 111110 (Digitaria decumbens Stent) and USDA P.I. 299795 (Digitaria setivalva Stent). Pangola grass and select clones of other Digitaria species may be established by vegetative propagation in rainfall belts of 20 to 30 inches per annum with reasonable assurance of success.