Evaluation of elephant grass cultivars (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) x elephant grass hybrids under grazing conditions

In this study, seven elephant grass cultivars and seven Pearl Millet x elephant grass hybrids were evaluated under grazing conditions. The evaluated characteristics were dry matter yield (DMY), forage height (FH), stem diameter (SD), leaf blade/stem ratio (LB/S), leaves blade dry matter yield (LBDMY), basal tillers number (BTN), lateral tillers number (LTN) and lateral tillers/basal tiller ratio (LT/BT). The results showed higher DMY, LBDMY, FH, SD, and LB/S for the cultivars group, as compared to the hybrids group. The values were 6.95 t of DM/ha.year, 5.36 t of DM/ha.year, 1.43 m, 9.62 mm and 4.86 for the cultivars group and 3.80 t of DM/ha.year, 2.49 t of DM/ha.year, .99 m, 4.72 mm and 3.08 for the hybrids group, respectively. However, the hybrids showed higher BTN and LTN. The LT/BT ratio was similar in both groups. In general, the elephant grass cultivars showed a higher potential for grazing utilization, if compared to the hybrids group.