Plant dry weight and nutritive value of genetically diverse germplasm of false Rhodes grass [Leptochloa crinita (Lag.) P.M. Peterson and N.W. Snow], a native forage grass from arid regions of the Americas

The native forage, false Rhodes grass [Leptochloa crinita (Lag.) P.M. Peterson and N.W. Snow], represents an important component of the arid and semi‐arid rangelands of the Americas, due to its large area of distribution and its tolerance to drought and cattle grazing. Precise information on nutritive value and the factors that influence this trait is relevant for effective utilization as a forage in arid regions of the world. Here, we characterized dry matter (DM) per plant and nutritive value parameters in leaves, stems, and panicles of 21 genetically diverse L. crinita accessions, in a 2‐yr partially replicated trial. Dry matter, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ash, fat, phosphorus, and calcium concentrations were determined. Significant (p