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Agronomic and Cytotaxonomic Comparisons Between Digitaria decumbens and D. pentzii 1
Author(s) -
Schank S. C.,
Decker H. F.,
Killinger G. B.,
Allen R. J.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1966.0011183x000600010026x
Subject(s) - biology , digitaria , botany , meiosis , chromosome number , chromosome , karyotype , genetics , gene
Pangolagrass ( Digitaria decumbens Stent.) and two strains of Digitaria pentzii Stent, introduced via Taiwan were evaluated from a cytotaxonomic and agronomic viewpoint. The two introductions of D. pentzii , A‐24 and A‐82, were taxonomically identical and have a regular meiosis with a 2n chromosome number of 18, a number not previously reported for this species. Pangolagrass, in contrast, has a 2n chromosome number of 27 and a very irregular meiosis with up to 9 laggard univalents at anaphase I. The most obvious taxonomic distinction between these grasses, which is most easily observed in young material, is the hairiness of the lower culm and stem sheaths in D. pentzii as compared to the glabrousness or only sparse hairiness in pangolagrass. Both D. pentzii introductions are less winter hardy than pangolagrass and can not be recommended in areas north of the 26° latitude in Florida.