Determination of Biomass Yield and Other Agricultural Characteristics of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Varieties in Rainfed Conditions in 4th and 5th Years

A two-year, 2018 (4th) and 2019 5th), study was conducted to determine the biomass yield and other characteristics of six switchgrass varieties in Konya - Karapinar location under rainfed conditions. Six usedv varieties (Alamo, Shawnee, Kanlow, Shelter, Cave in rock and Trailblazer) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Study results indicated that fresh biomass yield was 734 kg da(-1) for Cave in rock and 1499 kg da(-1) for Alamo cutivars. Dry biomass yield was 343 kg/da for Cave in rock and 774 kg/da for Trailblazer. Plant height were determined as 47.8 cm for Cave in rock and 70 cm for Alamo. Tiller number per meter were found as 229.8 in Cave in rock and 448.5 in Trailblazer. Aditionally, tiller weight was 0.78 g for Trailblazer and 1.24 g for Kanlow cultivars. Also, chlorophyll content of Shawnee and Kanlow cultivars were 29.6% and 44.3%, respectively. Stoma conductivity was measured as 22.4 mmol H2O m(-2) s(-1) for Shawnee and 34.3 mmol H2O m(-2) s(-1) for Alamo and canopy temperature were determined between 37.7 degrees C for Kanlow and 43.9 degrees C for Shawnee. In the study, it was determined that the biomass yield decreased in the fifth year and the highest yield was optained from four varieties including Kanlow, Alamo, Trailblazer and Shelter.