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Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.), one of the important exotic plants, gives great economic value to animal husbandry in China. In order to study the distribution of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) in China and its response to climate change, based on the distribution records of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.), our study used the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model and geographic information system (GIS) methods, combined with environmental factors such as climate and terrain, to predict the potential distribution areas suitable for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) under current and future climate scenarios. The results showed that annual precipitation was the most important factor affecting the distribution of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.). In current climate scenario, the total area of suitable for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) growth was about 576.5 km2, accounting for about 60.5% of the total land area of China. Among all the suitable areas, the area of low, middle and high fitness areas accounted for 5.69%, 20.55% and 33.81% of the total area respectively. In future climate scenarios (RCP4.5), the suitable area of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) would decrease with climate change, showing a clear trend of northward expansion in China. A concentrated and contiguous distribution region for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) would appear in northeast China. The model was tested by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), and the average area under the curve of ROC of the training set was 0.985, which was reliable. This work provided an important reference and theoretical basis for the efficient utilization and plant regionalization of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined pollution of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is very common in China and needs urgent addressal. The use of resistant garden plants for phytoremediation accounts for both ecological restoration and ornamental value and has great application potential. In this study, cadmium (Cd) and pyrene (Pyr) were used as contaminants, and the growth responses, enrichment characteristics, and physiological responses of common garden plants were studied using greenhouse pot experiments. The Cd-Pyr compound stress affected the growth responses of plants. Chinese Pennisetum and lotus exhibited the best Cd-Pyr removal effect: the removal rates of Cd were 68.91% and 60.25%, respectively, and those of Pyr were 77.52% and 63.74%, respectively. Compound stress promoted the protective enzymes of ryegrass, lotus, and Chinese Pennisetum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the leaves of the five plants was higher than that in the control group, whereas the chlorophyll and carotenoid content were lower. Overall, the order of resistance of the five garden plants tested under Cd-Pyr compound stress was: Chinese Pennisetum, lotus > ryegrass > Hemerocallis, Purple Coneflower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pennisetum hydridum has several beneficial characteristics, including the ability to grow quickly, a highly developed root system, the ability to produce high yields, strong resistance to environmental stressors, and the ability to adapt to different growth environments. Recent studies have shown that Pennisetum hydridum has the potential to play an important role in the sectors of bioenergy, environmental remediation, and livestock fodder. The objective of this paper is to review the current research on Pennisetum hydridum in China and discuss its potential for phytoremediation, biofuel development, and feed utilization. Pennisetum hydridum is resistant to a variety of stressors and can adapt to different growth environments. It can be used for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated land, restoration of saline-alkali land, and nutrient removal of constructed wetlands, as well as soil and water conservation. Pennisetum hydridum exhibits a higher biomass yield, caloric value, and cellulose content than other bioenergy crops, suggesting it has superior potential as a second-generation biofuel resource. As a type of forage grass, Pennisetum hydridum also has an appealing taste and high feeding value, in addition to its high nutrition value. A comprehensive utilization framework for Pennisetum hydridum has been proposed in order to promote high-efficiency utilization of this multipurpose crop and fully realize its maximum potential. Research on Pennisetum hydridum as a bioenergy resource, however, is still in its infancy. Additional work is needed to better understand its breeding and genetic transformation processes, its energy conversion mechanism, and the biological pathways that support its growth and adaptability, so that this valuable resource may be utilized in the most productive way possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the fermentation quality of 12 varieties of Pennisetum sinese grown in different regions of Southern China. Following the production of silage from the natural fermentation of P. sinese , the interplay between the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, environmental factors, and microbiome was examined to understand the influence of these factors on the fermentation quality of silage. The silage quality produced by most of the P. sinese was low; the pH value of the silage was high (4.26–4.86), whilst the lactic acid content was low (10.7–24.1 g/kg DM), with V-scores between 57.9 and 78.3. The bacterial alpha diversities of the 12 P. sinese silages were distinct. There was a predominance of undesirable bacteria (Pseudomonas , Massilia , and Raoultella) , which likely caused the poor fermentation quality. The chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of the silage were closely correlated with the composition of the bacterial community. Furthermore, environmental factors (precipitation, temperature, humidity, location) were found to significantly influence the microbiome of the silage. The results confirmed that silage produced from the natural fermentation of 12 different P. sinese varieties had significant variation in their bacterial communities. The difference in environmental factors, due to the P. sinese being grown in various locations across south china, greatly affected the bacterial community found in the silage and thus the fermentation quality. The specific cultivar used for the silage and the environment in which the cultivar is grown must therefore be considered before the initiation of production of silage in order to ensure a higher quality product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to provide a scientific basis for the overwintering reserve, high yield, stable yield and efficient utilization of the stubble Pennisetum sp. in the Pisha sandstone areas and the suitable region in central China under natural conditions. 【Method】To comprehensively evaluate the regeneration ability of stubble Pennisetum sp. after low temperature stress in different natural habitats, the regeneration characteristics as follows were studied:(i)Emergence index such as seedling emergence time, seedling emergence rate, seedling survival rate and seedling emergence index;(ii) Morphological index such as height, tiller number, tiller ability, stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width and leaves;(iii) Plant biomass such as the water content and fresh weight of aboveground part;(iv) Plant root such as new root length, new root number and the ratio of new root length to plant height, etc. 【Result】Most of the indexes showed a downward trend except seedling emergence time and new root length/plant height ratio under the stress of temperature reduction. The seedling emergence time became longer while the new root length/plant height ratio showed a trend of first decrease then increase and decrease. Meanwhile, the regeneration ability of stubble Pennisetum sp. after low temperature stress in Dike field were stronger than in sloping farmland. The regeneration ability of stubble Pennisetum sp. in the same natural habitat under different stress temperatures was: 5 ℃>0 ℃>-5 ℃>-10 ℃>-15 ℃. 【Conclusion】In order to ensure the regeneration ability and improve the economic benefits of stubble Pennisetum sp., it is suggested to carry out continuous cultivation in areas where the minimum temperature is higher than 0 ℃(stress accumulated temperatures are higher than-12 ℃) in winter and the soil has a certain extent of water retention capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The uptake and distribution of four heavy metals, including copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), and those of total phosphorus (TP) in 30 plants in North China were investigated through pot trial experiments. Accumulation and distribution of heavy metals or TP were associated with plant species, tissues, metal elements and pollutant loading. The highest amount of heavy metal and TP accumulation was found in the whole plants of Hylotelephium erythrostictum (Miq.) H. Ohba (C1) and Chlorophytum laxum R. Br. (L4), respectively. Considering the biological concentration factor, translocation factor, retention factor and biomass indices, C1 is the suitable plant for Cd and Cu uptake, whereas Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Aschers (L3) and Viola verecunda A. Gray (V1) are the suitable plants for Pb removal. Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaetn.) Libosch. ex Fisch. (S1) and L4 can be chosen for Zn and TP removal, respectively. Cluster analysis was applied to select suitable plants for heavy metal and TP removal. Results showed that C1, L4 and Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng (G1) have a good capability of accumulating heavy metals and TP. Results demonstrated that the plant species rather than the families considerably influenced the accumulation of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrazine is frequently detected in surface runoff and poses a potential threat to the environment. Grass hedges may minimize runoff loss of atrazine from crop fields. Therefore, the effectiveness of two grass hedges (Melilotus albus and Pennisetum alopecuroides) in controlling atrazine runoff was investigated using simulated rainfall on lands at different slope gradients (15 and 20%) in northern China. Results showed that a storm (40 mm in 1 h), occurring 4 h after atrazine application, caused a loss of 3% of the applied amount. Atrazine loss under 20% slope was significantly greater than that under 15% slope in control plots. Atrazine exports associated with the water fraction accounted for the majority of total loss. Pennisetum hedges were more efficient in controlling atrazine loss with runoff compared to Melilotus hedges. No significant difference in the capacity of grass hedges to reduce atrazine exports was observed between 15 and 20% slopes. These findings suggest grass hedges are effective in minimizing atrazine runoff in northern China, and Pennisetum hedges should be preferentially used on sloping croplands in similar climatic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] The present experiment was conducted to investigate the yield,adaptability and quality characteristics of Pennisetum purpureum Schumach cv. Purple to provide reference for the certification and development of new varieties. [Method] With P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple as experimental material, the variety comparison tests were conducted in Nanning, Lingyun, and Tiandeng in Guangxi from 2007 to 2009, and variety regional trials were conducted in Danzhou of Hainan, Fuzhou of Fujian and Zhanjiang of Guangdong from 2011 to 2013. Its comprehensive characters of plant height, hay yield, stem-leaf ratio and nutritional components were determined, and were compared with those of P. purpureum × P.americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin. [Result] The average height of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 706.54 cm, which was5.92% and 8.44% lower than that of P. purpureum × P. americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv. Guiminyin, respectively. The average hay yield of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 32.74 t/ha in Nanning, Lingyun, and Tiandeng of Guangxi from 2007 to 2009, and 22.41 t/ha in Danzhou of Hainan, Fuzhou of Fujian and Zhanjiang of Guangdong from 2011 to 2013. Although its hay yield was lower than two control varieties, the difference was not significant (P > 0.05). The stem-leaf ratio of P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple was 0.98:1. Moreover,the analysis on the nutritional components of dry matter showed that compared with P. purpureum × P. americanum cv. Reyan No.4 and P. purpureum Schum cv.Guiminvin, the crude fiber of P. purpureum Schumab cv. Purple was decreased by4.76% and 2.78%, respectively; the neutral detergent fiber decreased by 5.07% and 2.22%, respectively; the acid detergent fiber was decreased by 2.54% and 1.99%,respectively; the crude fat was increased by 64.29% and 43.75%, respectively; the calcium content was increased by 28.00% and 33.33%, respectively; the phosphorus content was increased by 9.68% and 22.73%, respectively; the total content of amino acid was increased by 43.23% and 68.41%, respectively; the anthocyanin content of leaf was increased by 400.00% and 216.90%, respectively (P < 0.05). [Conclusion] P. purpureum Schumach cv. Purple is a new high-quality forage variety with wide adaptability, high yield, rich nutrient and good palatability, which is appropriate for comprehensive exploitation and application in the southern region of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Grass hedges provide an efficient way to prevent soil and water loss on sloping croplands in numerous countries throughout tropical and subtropical regions. However, the effects of grass hedges on sloping land are still not well understood in temperate regions where there is severe soil and water loss. Therefore, the soil and water conservation benefits of two native grass hedges, Pennisetum alopecuroide (Pennisetum alopecuroides (Linn.) Spreng.) and Arundinella hirta (Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) C. Tanaka), were investigated using simulated rainfall with different slope gradients (5, 10, 15 and 20%), rainfall intensities (14, 22, 36 and 63mmh−1), and coverage of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) on sloping lands of northern China. The results showed that Pennisetum hedges were more efficient in controlling soil and water loss compared with Arundinella hedges, possibly due to the more numerous, finer, and deeper roots in Pennisetum hedges. Overland flow and soil loss in sloping cropland were decreased by 52% and 75%, respectively, using Pennisetum hedges and 29% and 52%, respectively, using Arundinella hedges. The contribution of independent variables to overland flow followed the order rainfall intensity>coverage of alfalfa>type of grass hedges>slope gradient. The contribution to soil loss followed the order slope gradient>types of grass hedges>coverage of alfalfa>overland flow>rainfall intensity. Tillering ability and root characteristics should be considered in the selection of grass species when designing grass hedges. These findings may be helpful in the remediation of serious soil and water losses on sloping croplands in northern China and similar regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Soil and water loss have become a critical problem on sloping croplands in Northern China. Vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) hedges have been suggested to be effective in preventing soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions but appear to be ineffective in temperate regions because they cannot withstand the low temperatures in winter time. Here we evaluated the soil and water conservation function of two native grass hedges, Pennisetum alopecuroide (Pennisetum alopecuroides (Linn.) Spreng.) and Arundinella hirta (Arundinella hirta (Thunb.) C. Tanaka), in Northern China. Three hydrologically isolated plots were used to test each combination of hedges and slope gradients (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) under different levels of rainfall intensities (i.e. 14, 22, 36 and 63mmh−1). The experiments were carried out on a different type of croplands (i.e. soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and no crops) alternatively in a four-year period (2006–2009). Comparing to the case of using no grass hedges, on average Pennisetum hedges reduced soil loss by 84% and overland flow by 68%, and Arundinella hedges reduced soil loss and overland flow by 55% and 38%, respectively. These results suggested that both Pennisetum and Arundinella hedges provided effective protection against soil and water loss, and Pennisetum hedges had almost doubled efficacies over Arundinella hedges. Their protection efficacies varied across different types of croplands. However grass hedges action alone, under the experimental conditions, did not provide sufficient protection under steep slope and intense rain conditions. It was found that the impact of grass hedges on the control of runoff and erosion is more significant than rain intensity and slope gradient. The influence of root architecture on overland flow was assessed. One empiric model was derived to describe the influence of the independent variables (including slope gradient, rainfall intensity, age and type of grass hedges, and type of crops) on overland flow and soil transport and simulated the extent of protection under the range of experimental conditions. These findings may be helpful in the remediation of serious soil and water losses on sloping croplands in northern China and similar regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Simulated rainfall was applied during three 1-h “runs” (dry run, wet run and very wet run) to evaluate the effects of rain intensity (14, 22 and 36mm/h), protective grass hedges (two different grasses: Pennisetum alopecuroides and Arundinella hirta) and slope gradients (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) on overland flow and soil loss. Plots without grass hedges were used as controls. The soil in the plots was a loam covered with soybean plants. Grass hedges substantially reduced overland flow (65–88% reduction for Pennisetum and 15–38% for Arundinella) and soil loss (decreased by 77–84% in the case of Pennisetum and by 21–61% for Arundinella), and protection with P. alopecuroides hedges showed a higher efficiency than A. hirta. Corresponding to hedge protection, rain intensity and slope were positively correlated to runoff and soil loss. Soil loss and runoff were significantly and positively but non-linearly correlated: a multiplicative model gave better fittings than linear models in all cases (s =exp(−5.40537+1.55017×ln(r)), R 2 =80.08%). In conclusion, grass hedges resulted an effective conservation measure for runoff and soil loss control; in particular P. alopecuroides appears to be a suitable species for application in conditions in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the disease Pyricularia Leaf Spot on Pennisetum giganteum (Jujuncao) in China and discusses how Jujuncao (Pennisetum giganteum) was developed as a source of biomass for mushroom cultivation and biofuel production.

• CH 4 production from liquid hot water pretreated Hybrid Pennisetum was optimized. • CH 4 production increased by 32.9% at optimal pretreatment condition of 175 °C. • Theoretical energy conversion efficiency of 76.1% was achieved after pretreatment. • Process energy efficiency can be realized to 51.7% by pretreatment heat recovery. To overcome the inherent complexity of lignocellulosic biomass and improve its biological conversion efficiency, the central composite surface response methodology was used to optimize the process variables (temperature, reaction time and liquid-to-solid ratio) in liquid hot water pretreatment for biomethane production from the anaerobic digestion of Hybrid Pennisetum (a typical energy crop in southern China). Temperature, reaction time and water content were varied between 160–200 °C, 20–60 min and 60–90 mL respectively. The biomethane yields from pretreated material were considered as response variables to different processes conditions. Results showed untreated Hybrid Pennisetum had a biomethane potential of 218.6 L/kg volatile solid (VS) (corresponding to a biodegradability of 62.6%). The effect of liquid hot water pretreatment on the biomethane yield was distinct. Pretreatment severities less than 4.55 resulted in increased biomethane yields. However, further increasing the severity led to lower biomethane yields. The optimum biomethane yield (290.6 L/kg VS) was obtained from pretreated Hybrid Pennisetum at 175 °C for 35 min, with the highest biodegradability of 83.2%. Energy balance showed that, under the optimal pretreatment condition, the highest energy conversion efficiency of 76.1% was attained in theory. If the process energy inputs are included, a process energy efficiency of 51.7% could be realized with proper heat recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] contamination has become an emergent concern in China. Previous field investigations have found that hybrid Napier grass is widely distributed in Cr(VI) contaminated areas. This study investigated the phytoremediation potential and biochemical response of hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum americanus L. × Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) grown in soil contaminated with Cr(VI) (0, 20, 40, and 60 mg kg−1) with and without Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) (4 mM) application. The results indicated that root length, shoot height, dry weight, leaf area, chlorophyll, and photosystem II (PSII) parameters viz.; apparent electron transport rate (ETR), effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSⅡ), maximal PSII photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), potential activity of PSII (Fv/Fo), photochemical quenching (qP), and non-photochemical quenching (qN) decreased with the increasing Cr(VI) concentration. EDTA application further aggravated reduction of dry biomass and photosystem II. The concentration and the accumulation of Cr in shoot and root, and both the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and transfer factor (TF) increased with increasing Cr(VI) concentrations and further enhanced with EDTA application. Though the Cr(VI) and Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) stress reduced tolerance, but, even at highest Cr(VI) concentration, plant could exhibited strong resistance, as evidenced by increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities. Hybrid Napier grass, due to its BAF > 1 and a TF < 1, would be applicable for Cr phytostabilization. Moreover, limiting metal transport to aerial parts of plant would prevent animal's ingestion, restrict soil mobility, and consequently reduce transmission across the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pennisetum sinese is a good forage grass with high biomass production and crude proteins. However, little is known about the endophytic fungi diversity of P. sinese, which might play an important role in the plant's growth and biomass production. Here, we used high throughput sequencing of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences based on primers ITS5-1737 and ITS2-2043R to investigate the endophytic fungi diversity of P. sinese roots at the maturity stage, as collected from four provinces (Shaanxi province, SX; Fujian province, FJ; the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous prefecture, XJ and Inner Mongolia, including sand (NS) and saline-alkali land (NY), China). The ITS sequences were processed using QIIME and R software. A total of 374,875 effective tags were obtained, and 708 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were yielded with 97% identity in the five samples. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the two dominant phyla in the five samples, and the genera Khuskia and Heydenia were the most abundant in the FJ and XJ samples, respectively, while the most abundant tags in the other three samples could not be annotated at the genus level. In addition, our study revealed that the FJ sample possessed the highest OTU numbers (242) and the NS sample had the lowest (86). Moreover, only 22 OTUs were present in all samples simultaneously. The beta diversity analysis suggested a division of two endophytic fungi groups: the FJ sample from the south of China and the other four samples from north or northwest China. Correlation analysis between the environmental factors and endophytic fungi at the class level revealed that Sordariomycetes and Pucciniomycetes had extremely significant positive correlations with the total carbon, annual average precipitation, and annual average temperature, while Leotiomycetes showed an extremely significant negative correlation with quick acting potassium. The results revealed significant differences in the root endophytic fungi diversity of P. sinese in different provinces and might be useful for growth promotion and biomass production in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information about natural infection of maize by Pennisetum mosaic virus in China. In mid-2002, a potyvirus was isolated from maize showing mild mosaic symptoms in the Xinzhou District of Shanxi Province, China. All inoculated plants developed systemic mosaic symptoms. In serological tests, the virus was distantly related to Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), the prevalent potyvirus infecting maize across China. This is the first report of PenMV in maize, where before SCMV had been the only potyvirus infecting maize in China. SCMV occurs in most maize-growing areas of China, and its symptoms, on most cultivars of sorghum, are mosaic followed by reddening and necrosis of the lamina.