FLOWERING CHARACTERISTICS AND SEED PRODUCTION OF PANICUM MAXIMUM IN MALAYSIA

WONG CHOI CHEE

SUMMARY

Flowering and seed production characteristic of Panicum maximum cv. Coloniao were studied in Serdang. Panicle production was prolonged and echibited a peak under favourable rainfall condition but was suppressed by low rainfall . Estimated seed yield was generally low with less than 10%, of the total spikelets on a panicle harvested as filled seed. A considerable amount was lost through spikelet shedding. Seed yield was significantly correlated with panicle density and varied with harvest date within a seed crop and between crops. Panicles of 2 to 3 weeks old were favourable for maximal seed collection. Freshly , harvested seed exhibited dormancy but germination increased to 31% after 4 months storage. Reasons for low seed yields and problems in determining the optimal harvest date were discussed.

Full Text (463 KB)