Paspalum

Objective: Paspalum scrobiculatum, commonly known as " Kodo " is a millet variety found in India having medicinal and pharmaceutical importance. Crude extracts of chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and methanol were evaluated for the presence of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the millet grains. Method: Phytochemical screening was done for the qualitative basis of the study using standard tests. The TPC was determined by Folin-ciocalteu method with gallic acid as standard at 765 nm in ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results were expressed as " mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract ". The TFC was measured at 510 nm using rutin as reference standard. Results were expressed as " mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g extract ". Result: Phytochemical tests showed the presence of phenolics and flavonoids in more polar solvent extracts, methanol, and ethanol. Carbohydrates and fats and oils were present in all four extracts. TPC of ethanol extract, 175.94±1.018 mg GAE/g extract was found highest. Major flavonoid containing extract was ethanol having TFC 116.48±1.57 mg RE/g extract. Conclusion: Kodo millet is known for its antidiabetic property, wound healing capacity, and several phenolic and flavonoids have been identified. The presence of good amount of phenolics and flavonoids ascertained by tests indicate the presence of phytochemicals in kodo millet which are having good antioxidant potential is responsible for the bioactivity of these crude extracts. The study on kodo millet can further be done to ascertain its efficacy against target diseases.

This study determined the nutritive value, ensiling characteristics, and in situ disappearance kinetics of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge 'Tifton 9'), perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth. 'Florigraze'), annual peanut [Arachis hypogaea (L.) 'FL MDR 98'], cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. 'Iron clay'], and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 'GA-2']. All forages were harvested at maturity stages that optimized dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. After harvest, forages were wilted to 45% DM, and 4 replicate bales of each legume and 8 bales of bahiagrass were wrapped in polyethylene and ensiled for 180 d. After each bale was opened, the forage was thoroughly mixed, and representative subsamples were taken for laboratory analysis and in situ incubation. Wilting and ensiling decreased the rumen-undegradable protein, water-soluble carbohydrate, crude protein (CP), and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of bahiagrass, perennial p...

The present work intends to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the species of Paspalum L. belonging to the informal groups Notata/Linearia and Dilatata, and to raise some preliminary hypotheses on the phylogeny of the genus as a whole. A combined dataset including morphological and molecular characters was used to analyze 28 species of Paspalum plus some representatives of related genera of the tribe Paniceae. Analyses were performed using both parsimony and maximum likelihood. The monophyly of Paspalum is not supported nor contradicted. The circumscription of informal groups of Paspalum is discussed, as well as the cladistic treatment of allopolyploid taxa, especially those comprising the Dilatata group. The relationships of members of the Dilatata with their putative progenitors is confirmed, but the monophyly of the group as a whole is not. A close relationship between P. dilatatum Poir. and P. lividum Trin. ex Schltdl. is shown. Our analysis is consistent with the monophyly of a group comprising Notata+Linearia, with a monophyletic Notata group nested within it. The delimitation of the core Notata is proposed by including P. conduplicatum Canto-Dorow, Valls and Longhi-Wagner, P. notatum Flüggé, P. minus E. Fourn., P. pumilum Nees and P. subciliatum Chase.

The process of silica accumulation in plants is influenced by
edaphic, climatic and biotic conditions. Silica concentration
in plants varies between 0.1 and 10% of dry weight. A silica
content analysis was carried out as a component of a larger
phytolith study involving native species found in Paspalum
quadrifarium grassland communities. Silica content of 18
species was analyzed using individual grass samples
collected in different locations in Buenos Aires province.
From these samples, subfamily, interspecies and intraspecific
comparisons were made. Phytoliths were concentrated by a
dry ashing technique and silica content was calculated as a
percentage of dry plant weight. Statistical analyses were
applied to these results (Kruskal-Wallis test for interspecies
and subfamily data and a t-Student test for intraespecific
data). Average silica content values for species ranged
between 3.91 and 13.93 percent. Significant differences were
found in only three species (Sorghastrum pellitum, Dactylis
glomerata and Festuca arundinacea) and two subfamilies
(Pooideae and Panicoideae). The results showed a tentative
pattern of silica accumulation, where Pooideae – Stipoideae
had lower values than Arundinoideae – Panicoideae.
Intraspecific differences were notable in only one of the
species studied (F = -2.52; df = 6; p = .04), which could be
caused by variability in edaphic and/or climatic conditions in
the different locations where the individual samples were
collected. This study represents the first analysis of silica
content of grass species from southeastern Buenos Aires
province in Argentina.
Key words: Silica content, Poaceae, Paspalum quadrifarium
grassland

A taxonomic account of Paspalum in Egypt is provided. Paspalum vaginatum is newly recorded for the Flora of Egypt in addition to the three previously known species: P. dilatatum, P. distichum and P. racemosum. Paspalum vaginatum can be distinguished from other Paspalum species by the absence of lower glumes, smooth upper glumes and lack of ciliate fringes on its spikelets. The taxonomic synopsis includes information on nomenclature, distribution, a key to the species of Paspalum in Egypt and a list of selected specimens examined. In addition, a line drawing and photographs of the newly recorded species are presented.

A study was conducted to determine the effect of conserving bahiagrass as outdoor-stored hay (OSH), barn-stored hay (BSH), or baleage (BAL) on storage losses and lactation performance by Holstein cows. For baleage production, bahiagrass forage was cut and allowed to dry for 20 h in windrows, baled (1.2 × 1.4 m), and individually wrapped with white stretch film. Forage cut on the same day was dried to hay stage, baled (1.2 × 1.6 m round bales), and stored either outdoors (OSH) or in an enclosed hay barn (BSH). Bales were core sampled and weighed at harvest and again following a 6-mo storage period. At the end of the storage period, 30 multiparous mid-lactation Holstein cows [39.2 ± 5.6 kg of 3.5% fat-corrected milk and 142 ± 27 d in milk (DIM)] were stratified according to milk yield and DIM and randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 forage conservation treatments. Cows were trained to Calan feeding gates and were offered a common partial mixed ration in a 10-d covariate period followed by ...

Somatic chromosome numbers were determined for 20 new germplasm accessions of Paspalum, belonging to 17 species collected in Brazil. Chromosome number is reported for the first time for P. reduncum (2n = 18), P. cinerascens (2n = 20), P. cordatum (2n = 20), P. filgueirasii (2n = 24), P. ammodes (2n = 36), P. bicilium (2n = 40), P. heterotrichon

(See english abstract below spanish abstract)

El objetivo de este ensayo fue evaluar especies C4 con potencial forrajero, bajo efectos del sombreado en plantaciones de Eucalyptus dunnii. Se evaluaron tres tratamientos: Interior del monte, Borde del monte y Sol pleno, y dos especies de pastos. Para el tratamiento Sol pleno, en Paspalum dilatatum se registraron valores promedio superiores de biomasa total (g.planta-1) y peso de hoja (g.hoja-1) en las cuatro mediciones (Octubre'18, Noviembre'18, Enero'19 y Febrero'19) en comparación con Paspalum umbrosum. Para todo el ejercicio, no hubo diferencias dentro del tratamiento Borde para las especies P. dilatatum y P. umbrosum. P. dilatatum fue en promedio inferior en la variable peso de hoja en el tratamiento Interior de la parcela en los cuatro registros, destacándose siempre un buen rendimiento de P. umbrosum bajo la sombra en el interior de la parcela, con una tendencia creciente en el peso promedio de hojas y biomasa, y diferenciándose de P. dilatatum (estadísticamente superior) en la medición de Febrero'19.

Abstract-
The objective of this field trial was to evaluate C4 species with forage potential, under shading effect in Eucalyptus dunnii plantations. Three treatments were evaluated: Interior of the trees stand, Border of the trees stand and Full sun, and two grass species. The species Paspalum dilatatum was statistically superior in the variables for the Full Sun treatment. For P. dilatatum, higher average values of total biomass (g.plant-1) and leaf weight (g.leaf-1) were recorded in the four measurements (October'18, November'18, January'19 and February'19). There were no statistical differences within the Edge treatment for P. dilatatum and P. umbrosum for the whole exercise. P. dilatatum had lower leaf weight in the Interior treatment of the plot in the four measurements, standing out always a good yield of P. umbrosum under the shade in the interior of the plot, presenting an increasing tendency in the leaf weight average and biomass, and differentiated from P. dilatatum (statistically higher) in the February'19 measurement.

Gametophytic apomixis is regularly associated with polyploidy. It has been hypothesized that apomixis is not present in diploid plants because of a pleiotropic lethal effect associated with monoploid gametes. Rare apomictic triploid plants for Paspalum notatum and P. simplex, which usually have sexual diploid and apomictic tetraploid races, were acquired. These triploids normally produce male gametes through meiosis with a range of chromosome numbers from monoploid (n = 10) to diploid (n = 20). The patterns of apomixis transmission in Paspalum were investigated in relation to the ploidy levels of gametes. Intraspecific crosses were made between sexual diploid, triploid and tetraploid plants as female parents and apomictic triploid plants as male parents. Apomictic progeny were identified by using molecular markers completely linked to apomixis and the analysis of mature embryo sacs. The chromosome number of the male gamete was inferred from chromosome counts of each progeny. The chr...

Apomixis, a clonal plant reproduction by seeds, is controlled in Paspalum spp. by a single locus which is blocked in terms of recombination. Partial sequence analysis of the apomixis locus revealed structural features of heterochromatin, namely the presence of repetitive elements, gene degeneration, and de-regulation. To test the epigenetic control of apomixis, a study on the distribution of cytosine methylation at the apomixis locus and the effect of artificial DNA demethylation on the mode of reproduction was undertaken in two apomictic Paspalum species. The 5-methylcytosine distribution in the apomixis-controlling genomic region was studied in P. simplex by methylation-sensitive restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and in P. notatum by fluorescene in situ hybridization (FISH). The effect of DNA demethylation was studied on the mode of reproduction of P. simplex by progeny test analysis of apomictic plants treated with the demethylating agent 5'-azacytidine...

The objective of this work was to determine the type of inheritance (disomic/polysomic) in tetraploid (2n=4x=40) Paspalum notatum and investigate the transmission pattern of the chromosome region associated with apospory. An F1 family segregating for the reproductive mode (aposporous vs non-aposporous) was generated by crossing a tetraploid sexual plant as female parent with an apomictic individual as pollen donor. Pollen mother cells from both parental plants were examined to ascertain chromosome-pairing behavior at meiosis. The high rate of quadrivalent chromosome associations indicated an autotetraploid origin of the species, although bivalent pairing and occasional univalents were detected. The observation of a lagging bivalent, a bridge of chromatin, or two aligned laggards in the aposporous parent suggested a chromosome inversion in this strain. Segregation ratios of AFLP markers and the proportion of linkages in repulsion versus coupling phase denoted tetrasomic inheritance, but markers displaying disomic ratios were also observed. Preferential chromosome pairing (disomic inheritance) in the chromosome segment related to apospory was detected. The possible relationship between a chromosome rearrangement and the inheritance of apospory is discussed.

Apomixis, a clonal plant reproduction by seeds, is controlled in Paspalum spp. by a single locus which is blocked in terms of recombination. Partial sequence analysis of the apomixis locus revealed structural features of heterochromatin, namely the presence of repetitive elements, gene degeneration, and de-regulation. To test the epigenetic control of apomixis, a study on the distribution of cytosine methylation at the apomixis locus and the effect of artificial DNA demethylation on the mode of reproduction was undertaken in two apomictic Paspalum species. The 5-methylcytosine distribution in the apomixis-controlling genomic region was studied in P. simplex by methylation-sensitive restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and in P. notatum by fluorescene in situ hybridization (FISH). The effect of DNA demethylation was studied on the mode of reproduction of P. simplex by progeny test analysis of apomictic plants treated with the demethylating agent 5'-azacytidine...

Apomixis is an alternative route of plant reproduction that produces individuals genetically identical to the mother plant through seeds. Apomixis is desirable in agriculture, because it guarantees the perpetuation of superior genotypes (i.e. heterotic hybrid seeds) by self-seeding without loss of hybrid vigour. The Paspalum genus, an archetypal model system for mining apomixis gene(s), is composed of about 370 species that have extremely diverse reproductive systems, including self-incompatibility, self-fertility, full sexual reproduction, and facultative or obligate apomixis. Barriers to interspecific hybridization are relaxed in this genus, allowing the production of new hybrids from many different parental combinations. Paspalum is also tolerant to various parental genome contributions to the endosperm, allowing analyses of how sexually reproducing crop species might escape from dosage effects in the endosperm. In this article, the available literature characterizing apomixis in...

Kodomillet ( Paspalum scrobiculatum ) is one of the important and neglected minor millet with high reserves of protein. The cultivation of this crop declined year by year, this situation may be due to the different abiotic stresses pertaining to low yields.  Salinity stress is one of the important abiotic factor influences the growth of the crop species at different stages of the life cycle. Seeds are very sensitive to salinity stress at germination and seedling stage and kodomillet is not an exceptional one. As there is no previous reports available regarding the response of the kodomillet germplasm against salt stress this work was taken up to identify the salt tolerant accessions of kodomillet at germination and early seedling stage.  The kodomillet germplasm was obtained from ICRISAT and NBPGR. All the test varieties were treated with different NaCl levels such as 50 mM, 100 mM, 150 mM and 200 mM for about 144 hrs. The effect of salt stress was measured in terms of percent germi...

Apomixis is an alternative route of plant reproduction that produces individuals genetically identical to the mother plant through seeds. Apomixis is desirable in agriculture, because it guarantees the perpetuation of superior genotypes (i.e. heterotic hybrid seeds) by self-seeding without loss of hybrid vigour. The Paspalum genus, an archetypal model system for mining apomixis gene(s), is composed of about 370 species that have extremely diverse reproductive systems, including self-incompatibility, self-fertility, full sexual reproduction, and facultative or obligate apomixis. Barriers to interspecific hybridization are relaxed in this genus, allowing the production of new hybrids from many different parental combinations. Paspalum is also tolerant to various parental genome contributions to the endosperm, allowing analyses of how sexually reproducing crop species might escape from dosage effects in the endosperm. In this article, the available literature characterizing apomixis in...

Apomixis is an alternative route of plant reproduction that produces individuals genetically identical to the mother plant through seeds. Apomixis is desirable in agriculture, because it guarantees the perpetuation of superior genotypes (i.e. heterotic hybrid seeds) by self-seeding without loss of hybrid vigour. The Paspalum genus, an archetypal model system for mining apomixis gene(s), is composed of about 370 species that have extremely diverse reproductive systems, including self-incompatibility, self-fertility, full sexual reproduction, and facultative or obligate apomixis. Barriers to interspecific hybridization are relaxed in this genus, allowing the production of new hybrids from many different parental combinations. Paspalum is also tolerant to various parental genome contributions to the endosperm, allowing analyses of how sexually reproducing crop species might escape from dosage effects in the endosperm. In this article, the available literature characterizing apomixis in...

Dominance of invasive species is often assumed to be due to a superior ability to acquire resources. However, dominance in plant communities can arise through multiple interacting mechanisms, including disturbance. Inter-specific competition can be strongly affected by abiotic conditions, which can determine the outcome of competitive interactions. We evaluated competition and disturbance as mechanisms governing dominance of Phyla canescens (hereafter lippia), an invasive perennial forb from South America, in Paspalum distichum (perennial grass, hereafter water couch) meadows in floodplain wetlands of eastern Australia. Water couch meadows (in the study area) are listed under the Ramsar Convention due to their significance as habitat for migratory waterbirds. In the field, we monitored patterns of vegetation boundaries between the two species in response to flooding. Under controlled glasshouse conditions, we explored competitive interactions between the native water couch and lippia subject to different soil moisture/inundation regimes. We did this using a pairwise factorial glasshouse experiment that manipulated neighbor density (9 treatments) and soil moisture/inundation (4 treatments). In the field trial, inundation increased the cover of water couch. Under more controlled conditions, the invader had a competitive effect on the native species only under dry soil conditions, and was strongly inhibited by inundation. This suggests that dry conditions favor the growth of the invader and wetter (more historical) conditions favor the native grass. In this system, invader dominance is governed by altered disturbance regimes which give the invader a competitive advantage over the native species.

Background, Aims and ScopeThe global problem concerning contamination of the environment as a consequence of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contributes to a variety of health effects such as decline in mental, cognitive and physical health of the individual. An alternative way of reducing Pb concentration from the soil is through phytoremediation. Phytoremediation is an alternative method that uses plants to clean up a contaminated area. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the survival rate and vegetative characteristics of three grass species such as vetivergrass, cogongrass and carabaograss grown in soils with different Pb levels; and (2) to determine and compare the ability of the three grass species as potential phytoremediators in terms of Pb accumulation by plants.MethodsThe thre...

Somatic chromosome numbers were determined for 20 new germplasm accessions of Paspalum, belonging to 17 species collected in Brazil. Chromosome number is reported for the first time for P. reduncum (2n = 18), P. cinerascens (2n = 20), P. cordatum (2n = 20), P. filgueirasii (2n = 24), P. ammodes (2n = 36), P. bicilium (2n = 40), P. heterotrichon

This study determined the nutritive value, ensiling characteristics, and in situ disappearance kinetics of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge 'Tifton 9'), perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth. 'Florigraze'), annual peanut [Arachis hypogaea (L.) 'FL MDR 98'], cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. 'Iron clay'], and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. 'GA-2']. All forages were harvested at maturity stages that optimized dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value. After harvest, forages were wilted to 45% DM, and 4 replicate bales of each legume and 8 bales of bahiagrass were wrapped in polyethylene and ensiled for 180 d. After each bale was opened, the forage was thoroughly mixed, and representative subsamples were taken for laboratory analysis and in situ incubation. Wilting and ensiling decreased the rumen-undegradable protein, water-soluble carbohydrate, crude protein (CP), and in vitro true digestibility (IVTD) of bahiagrass, perennial p...