Comparative study on the production performance of 13 Stylosanthes germplasms

In order to screen Stylosanthes varieties of excellent comprehensive properties, the adaptability of 13 Stylosanthes germplasms were studied by testing the height, survival rate, stem/leaf ratio, anthrax disease, hay yield, seed yields, 1000-grain weight, and nutrition components from 2011 to 2014; the production performances were compared and evaluated by membership function. The results showed that their initial blossoming stage was from September to November. The survival rate of TPRC2001-84 was the highest, up to 72.6% followed by TPRC 2001-81 with 56.6%. The 13 Stylosanthes germplasms were all resistant to anthracnose. Forage DM yield of TPRC 2001-84 was the highest, up to 15 968 kg·ha-1, followed by TPRC2001-81 and Reyan No. 20, 12 206, and 12 724 kg·ha-1, respectively. It was also found that the highest seed yield was in TPRC 2001-85, up to 56.7 kg·ha-1, and the highest crude protein content was in Reyan No. 21 with up to 21.57%. The highest crude fat and phosphorus content was in Reyan No. 20 and Reyan No. 21. The highest calcium content was in Reyan No. 21. The highest potassium content was in TPRC 2001-85. Therefore, among all the Stylosanthes germplasm, TPRC 2001-84, Reyan No. 21, TPRC 2001-85, and TPRC 2001-1 had been found to have excellent production performance and were suitable for promotion and cultivation in the tropical area.