Effects of water stress on seed production in ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis Germain and Everard)

Water stress at different stages of reproductive development influenced seed yield in Ruzi grass differently. Under mild water stress, the earlier in the reproductive developmental stage. the stress was applied (before ear emergence) the faster the plants recovered and the less the ultimate damage to inflorescence structure and seed set compared with the situation where water stress occurred during the later stages after inflorescences had emerged. Conversely, severe water stress before ear emergence had a severe effect in damaging both inflorescence numbers and seed quality. Permanent damage to the reproductive structures resulted in deformed inflorescences. Moreover, basal vegetative tillers were stunted and were capable of only limited regrowth after re-watering.