S.S. PARIHAR, B. MAL, V. SHANKAR and A. KAK

Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India

Abstract

Seed yield components of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides) were examined during monsoonal growth for 2 years (1995 and 1996). Initial inflorescence emergence (IIE) started by mid-August, about 45 days after the start of the monsoon-initiated growth in the last week of June. Inflorescence density peaked at 139.6/m² with pure germinating seed (PGS) yield of 648 kg/ha in Year 1 and 150.2/m² with PGS yield of 418 kg/ha in Year 2. Anthesis was acropetal and lasted c. 5 days. Shedding was basipetal and started after c. 21 days of anthesis. Freshly collected spikelets showed dormancy and required an after ripening period of c. 3 months. A hull-imposed dormancy was evident as removal of the caryopsis from the enclosing husk facilitated germination. Dormancy was broken by application of gibberellic acid and potassium nitrate.