Ecology of Cenchrus grass complex: Environmental conditions and population differences in western India: 23 (Tasks for Vegetation Science, 23) - Softcover

Pandeya, S.C.; Lieth, Helmut

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9401052999 ISBN 13: 9789401052993

Publisher: Springer, 2013

Synopsis

The two excellent fodder grass species of genus Cenchrus - C.ciliaris (Cc) and C.setigerus (Cs) - are inhabitants of drier sandy areas throughout Africa, the Canary Islands, Madagascar and eastwards to India. In India, they mostly occur in western parts, including the Great Indian Desert. Small patches of the two grass species also occur in semi-arid tracts of southern India. In its area of distribution, the two species exhibit high degrees of morphological and physiological distinctions warranting population differences. Extensive surveys and intensive studies established 25 ecotypes of grass Cc and 9 of grass Cs in western India. The population differences lie in morphological, physiological and cytological aspects. Mathematical approach has confirmed the distinction. Biochemical analysis further supported the population differences. Culture experiments have established high forage yielding ecotypes. Extensive semi-natural grazing lands of the two species occur in the region. Forage yielding capacity varies between 250 and 750 g m2/y1. Herbage dynamics, system transfer functions and accumulation and flow rates give a good knowledge of energy flow in the semi-natural grazing lands dominated by the two species. Some of the ecotypes of the two grasses have high nutritive value in terms of total protein and digestability. Seed production, germinability and culture experiments have shown its establishment potentials. Accordingly, cultivation of some of the ecotypes of the two grass species in India, Australia, Usa and Africa have given encouraging results.

About this title

Product Description:

The idea for the present volume stems from the In many cases we had to decide ourselves what long time friendship between the series editor and changes had to be made in the manuscript. This the volume editor. The field work was carried out was done, however, with the prior consent of during several years of the last two decades by Professor Pandeya. We hope that we did not Professor Pandeya and his team of workers: overlook any items which should have been S. C. Sharma, H. K. Jain, K. C. Paliwal, V. M. changed - if we did, it is our responsibility. In Bhanot, S. J. Pathak, R. Sharma, S. C. Bhatt, P. K. order to demonstrate our responsibility I have Mathur, Y. N. Rao and G. V. Saratbabu. The wide signed as co-editor of this volume. scope of the undertaking required expeditions and The series editor accepted this unusual task individual field studies for which reports were because the topic is of great significance for dry available. subtropical regions of the world. It was the task of Professor Pandey a to sift all The Cenchrus grasslands are of great importance this information and put it together in a form in the dry areas of South East Asia. The value of understandable for an international audience. the ecological grassland study for range manage- The manuscript was delivered to the series edi- ment is therefore obvious.

About this edition

• Publisher: Springer
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 9401052999
• ISBN 13: 9789401052993
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 241