Interspecific hybrid, Zea mays L. x Tripsacum dactyloides L., a new fodder crop with large silage biomass production under abiotic stresses

Abstract

Interspecific hybrids between maize (Zea mays) and eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides) showed different biomass production depending on environment and abiotic stress (salinity, drought and alkalinity). In the plot with a moderate level of salinity (Roseworthy), the silage production of hybrids 1 and 2 was 29.0 and 42.9 tonnes/ha, respectively, which was almost 11- and 16-fold higher than maize production in the same plot. Hybrid plants had a similar nutrient composition of vegetative material, energy, protein content and digestibility for feeding animals compared to that of parental maize. High alkalinity and low soil nutrition (Waite plot) reduced biomass production but hybrids grew at least twice as tall as the maize parent. Hybrids plants also survived at the Meningie plot with a combination of high salinity and strong drought stress.