Main resources of ornamental grass and its evaluation in Liaoning Province

Wide ornamental grass resources in Liaoning Province were investigated during 2010-2014, and the ornamental value was evaluated by grey-correlation analysis to screen the excellent germplasm resources. The results showed that there were 103 ornamental-grass species in total, belonging to 49 genera and 10 families, mainly in Gramineae, Iridaceae, Cyperaceae. They accounted for 56.7%, 16.3% and 12.5%, respectively. These ornamental grasses are widespread in Liaoning Province, especially in hillside area and prairie shrubland, where they accounted for 52.9%; 58.7% have drought tolerance, 50.0% belong to medium-size, 22.0% belong to good-size, 51.0% have green leaf. The ornamental value of 103 ornamental grass resources was evaluated by grey-correlation analysis based on the full investigation and research of ornamental grass resources in Liaoning Province, and with the characters of ornamental value, height, color of leaf and inflorescence. The number, habitats and ornamental characteristics of ornamental grasses had high level of diversity. The comprehensive evaluation results showed that the correlation degree with ideal species of 37 in the 103 ornamental grasses was higher than 0.7; Miscanthus purpurascens, Stipa grandis, Arundinella hirta, Bromus inermis, Setaria faberii, Iris ruthenica var. nana, I. mandshurica, I. tigridia, I. uniflora, I. dichotoma, I. tenuifolia had better ornamental effects and their correlation degree with ideal species were higher than 0.8, they can be used for landscaping directly.