Phenotypic variability in leaf length, width and area and their relationships in clones of two subspecies of paspalum dilatatum during summer and autumn

Abstract

Paspalum dilatatum is a South American forage grass with two subspecies in Argentina and Uruguay. Little is known about the variability of length, width and area of blades among and within clones of P. dilatatum subspecies, or about the relationships between leaf area and its components. The length, width and area of the last unfolded leaf was measured for 14 clones of both subspecies, at different summer and autumn dates. Differences between subspecies and among clones were detected for almost all those characters. On average, clones of ssp. dilatatum were higher than those of ssp. flavescens. Different linear models to predict leaf area were performed for each subspecies and season, using effects of date, clone, leaf length and leaf width as covariables. Estimates based only upon leaf length had a slightly lower fit than the most complex models, but they are more practical because only leaf length measurements are required and as a result, they are less time consuming. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.