Performance of perennial tropical grasses in different Mediterranean environments in southern Italy

A 3-year trial at 3 different locations in southern Italy was conducted to assess winter survival, forage yield and quality and seed production of 23 accessions of C4 perennial grasses native to Africa and America and a C3 species native to Italy (Festuca arundinacea), which was used as a control. Thirteen C4 grasses [Sorghum almum, S. spp. hybrids (Silk sorghum), Panicum maximum, Eragrostis curvula, Chloris gayana, Panicum coloratum, Panicum virgatum, P aspalum dilatatum, Bouteloua curtipendula, Sorghastrum nutans, Spowbolus airoides, Buchloe dactyloides] along with F. arundinacea showed good winter survival at all 3 locations. S. almum and Silk sorghum gave the highest DM yields (mean 39.1 and 35.0 t/ha, respectively), while E. curvula, P. maximum and C. gayana yielded between 19.1 and 17.3 t/ha. F arundinacea yielded 8.6 t/ ha. P. dilatatum and S. airoides had the highest CP concentration (10.6 and 10.5%, respectively) and the lowest NDF (62 and 66%, respectively) and ADF (31%). Seed yields ranged between 100 and 900 kg/ha, with S. almum, Silk sorghum, B. dactyloides, F arundinacea and P coloratum yielding between 900 and 600 kg/ha.