Phenotypic performance, production, and nutritional quality of Stenotaphrum secundatum var. Steno Agrinak

Abstract

Stenotaphrum secundatum var. Steno Agrinak is a superior shade tolerant grass with good phenotypic appearance, high production along with good nutritional quality. This grass was obtained through a breeding program for vegetative (clonal) plants using the positive mass selection method from 2016 to 2018. Adaptation tests were carried out in two agroecosystems (lowland wet climates Sei Putih Deli Serdang and highland temperate Gurgur Tobasa). The study was carried out on a total area of 1600 m2 in a randomized block design using two genetic materials (original and selection) at two locations with 8 replications. The variables observed included phenotypic characters, production and nutritional value. The observed data were processed using a nested treatment design with the PKBT STAT program 1.0 and the Honestly Significant Difference (HSD) follow-up test. The test results showed that the fresh production of Steno Agrinak grass was significantly higher than the production of the original variety with a better phenotypic appearance accompanied by better nutritional value.