A preliminary study on turf characteristics of Eremochloa ophiuroides germplasm in the hilly areas of Ningzhen

Abstract: Growth characteristics, winter survival and flowering characteristics of 8 wild centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) accessions, collected from hilly areas of Ningzhen, were observed. Their turf quality was also evaluated. The results showed that growth characteristics, winter survival and flowering characteristics were quite different among different accessions of centipedegrass. Pukou Laoshan centipedegrass (E10) was the most different from other types. It showed slower growth, fewer branches, later wilting， longer bluegreen period and stronger winter survival. Nanjing Zhongshan centipedegrass (E11) had the fastest growth rate of a single stolon. The centipedegrass (E12) collected from Yizheng Xinji of Jiangsu Province had the highest quality and score on the comprehensive evaluation. The centipedegrass (E10) collected from Pukou Laoshan in Nanjing showed yellow stems, white stigma and yellow anthers. However, other centipedegrass of the hilly areas of Ningzhen had purple stems, red stigma and anthers. All the materials reported here provide favorable germplasm resources for the breeding of centipedegrass in the area of Ningzhen.