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Title: KLEINGRASS, BLUE PANIC, AND VINE MESQUITE

Author
item Tischler, Charles
item OCUMPAUGH, W - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2003
Publication Date: 1/1/2005
Citation: Tischler, C.R., Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2004. Kleingrass, Blue Panic, and Vine Mesquite. In: Moser, L.E., Burson, B.L., Sollenberger, L.E., editors. Warm-season (C4) Grasses. Agronomy Monograph 45. Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy. p. 623-649.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.), blue panic (P. antidotale Retz) and vine mesquite (P. obtusum H.B.K.) are important forage grasses. Kleingrass, which originated in South Africa, is a perennial, semi-rhizomatous grass. Kleingrass is quite productive, palatable, and resistant to grazing, although it has relatively poor seedling establishment and also can cause liver damage in sheep and horses. A lack of cold tolerance prevents more widespread utilization of Kleingrass. Chromosome numbers ranging from 18 to 54 have been reported. Lack of crossability between botanical varieties suggests that the taxonomy of the species is too conservative. Blue panicgrass is perennial, rhizomatous grass native to India with a diploid chromosome number of 18. It has been introduced into many countries, but because of its stemmy nature, it is not widely utilized. It has shown utility in arid zones of India and as a sand dune stabilizer in Iran. Old plantings made in Arizona have persisted but not spread, indicating that the grass has potential in arid regions of the US. Vine mesquite is a perennial stoloniferous grass native to the Southwestern United States. It is common in stream beds in arid areas, and is quite productive in these locations. Diploid vine mesquite accessions have a chromosome number of 20, while numbers of 27 and 36 or 40 have been reported for (apomictic) triploid and tetraploid accessions. Because of very poor seed quality of apomictic biotypes and poor vigor of sexual diploids, this grass is not available commercially.