Evaluation of production and any physiological characteristics of genotypes of Panicum maximum Jacq. under two cutting heights

The experiment was carried out from September 1995 to September 1996, to evaluate the total dry matter/ha (TDM), of leaves/ha (LDM), regrowth vigor (RV), tillers number (TN), and percentage of eliminated apical meristems (AME) in six grass cultivars (Aruana, Centenario, Coloniao, Mombaca, Tanzania and Tobiata) and two genotypes (K249 and KK8) of Panicum maximum Jacq., at two cutting heights (20 and 40 cm), during dry and rainy season. A split plot experimental design was used. The height cutting only influenced the yield of TDM and LDM of Tanzania grass that was higher in lower cuttings during rainy period, The Centenario and KK8 grasses presented higher AME at 20 cm height and Aruana at 40 cm, in both periods. The lowest RV was to Aruana grass in the two cutting heights in the two experimental periods. The Centenario, KK8, Mombaca, Tanzania c Tobiata grasses presented higher TDM and LDM both two periods, in the two cutting heights. B the Tanzania grass, which can be management with low height.