Adaptability and performance of C4 forages in northern subtropics

In order to screen the high quality grasses adapt to northern subtropics, 4 gramineous grasses (Paspalum wettsteinii, Pennisetum clandestinum cv. Whittet, Setaria sphacelata cv. Narok and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) were introduced and tested in Qiannan area from May to November in 2009. Under 5 times of clipping, the results indicated that the hay yields of B. decumbens cv. Basilisk and S. sphacelata cv. Narok were significantly higher than P. wettsteinii and P. clandestinum cv. Whittet (P0.05). The crude protein yield of S. sphacelata cv. Narok was the highest. The quality in vegetative stage was better than that in flowering stage. S. sphacelata cv. Narok was the best among the tested varieties.