Registration of ‘Kenhy’ and ‘Gibtuck’ limpograss hybrids

Abstract

‘Kenhy’ (Reg. No. CV-283, PI 682663) and ‘Gibtuck’ (Reg. No. CV-284, PI 682664) hybrid limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C.E. Hubbard] cultivars were produced by the University of Florida Agronomy Department, a unit of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and released in 2014. These two hybrids were selected from 51 hybrid seedlings produced by greenhouse hand crosses of ‘Floralta’ × ‘Bigalta’. Floralta is estimated to constitute >95% of the limpograss grown in Florida, raising concerns about genetic vulnerability. Bigalta, although less persistent than Floralta, has been shown to have slightly greater in vitro organic matter digestion. Evaluations of these hybrids were conducted at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, at two locations near Gainesville, FL, and at the North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL. Evaluations included greenhouse pot studies, small plot clipping experiments, two different mob stocking grazing experiments, and an experiment to evaluate herbage accumulation and nutritive value under stockpiling management. Kenhy and Gibtuck were selected for superior herbage accumulation, persistence under grazing defoliation, improved nutritive value compared with Floralta, and utility as stockpiled forage. Vegetative planting material was first distributed in summer 2014 to a group of growers selected by the Florida Cattlemen’s Research Committee, and further public distribution will be coordinated by this committee.