Morphoanatomical characterization to differentiate two biotypes of Paspalum virgatum

Abstract

The species Paspalum virgatum L. is considered to be a pasture weed that causes great damage to livestock. There are two empirically identified biotypes that differ in leaf blade width. Thus, the objective of this work was to differentiate two biotypes of P. virgatum based on the main aspects of leaf morphology and anatomy. Morphological characterization used the leaves of the third node of each biotype with five replications for both of them. For anatomical characterization, the median part of the leaf of the third node was collected. The evaluations consisted in the main leaf morphoanatomical parameters. The biotypes differ in leaf area, leaf blade width, sheath length and diameter, and inflorescence and canopy height. The “narrow” leaf biotype showed lower stomatal density on both sides of the blade. Therefore, leaf blade width is valid as the basis for empirical observation of the difference between biotypes.