Performance of Cenchrus ciliaris Linn Strains in an Arid Rangeland of Western Rajasthan

Abstract

To evaluate a suitable strain of perennial grass species for higher productivity through reseeding on a rangeland with light soils and medium rainfall in arid region, five promising strains of Cenchrus ciliaris, viz., No. 357,358,657, 3108 and Molopo buffel were tried at the Range Management sub-station, Samdari of the Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (western Rajasthan, India) from 1976 to 1980. Mean height per plant was maximum in strains 3108,358 and Molopo buffel and it was of the order of 108.8, 106.0 and 103.6 cm, respectively. Mean maximum number of tillers per plant (58.7) were in strain 657. Air dried forage yield in strains 358, 3108, 357,657 and Molopo buffel was 29.1, 29.1, 27.2, 26.0 and 26.1 q/ha, respectively, and these yields did not differ significantly. Mortality in clumps of different strains was only during 1980 and it was highest (17.7%) in strain Molopo buffel and negligible in strains 358 and 357. Hence over all performance and productivity of strain No. 358 was better. Growth and production characters responded positively to the favourable rainfall and its distribution pattern.