Andi L. Amar1✉, Tarsono1, Ramadanil Pitopang2, I Nengah Suwastika2,
Aini A. Amar3 and Syahrir4
1Tropical Forage Crop & Pasture Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fishery, Tadulako University
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Matemathic and Basic Sciences, Tadulako University
3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tadulako University
4Animal Feed and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Fishery, Tadulako University
Palu 94117, Sulawesi Tengah, INDONESIA
(✉) Corresponding Author: Andiamar85@gmail.com
Received: Sept 9, 2026/ Revised: Oct 12, 2026/Accepted: Oct 24, 2026
Highlights
- Compared the physiological traits of Panicum sarmentosum and Panicum maximum.
- Both grass species showed high stomatal density and chlorophyll content.
- Panicum sarmentosum exhibited higher chlorophyll content than Panicum maximum.
- Leaf and stem nitrogen contents were similar in both grass species.
- Higher chlorophyll content may support better herbage production under coconut shade.
Abstract
This article reports two descriptive studies—a field sampling and a controlled glasshouse experiment—on Panicum sarmentosum and Panicum maximum. While P. maximum is a well-known forage grass, P. sarmentosum is a potential new feed source for ruminants. This study aims to evaluate and compare the chlorophyll content, stomatal density, and nitrogen (N) content of both species. Well-developed leaf samples were collected using standard sampling methods. Chlorophyll and stomatal density were analyzed following standard procedures, while leaf and stem N contents were determined via the Kjeldahl digestion method. Data were analyzed descriptively using Statistix Software for Windows. The results showed that both species possess high stomatal density, enabling them to adapt well to open areas. While both grasses had high chlorophyll content, it was significantly higher in P. sarmentosum than in P. maximum. This higher chlorophyll content explains why P. sarmentosum produces more tillers and herbage under coconut shade than P. maximum. However, the two grasses did not differ in their leaf or stem N contents. In conclusion, these physiological traits effectively explain the differing performance of these morphologically similar plants.
Keywords: grass, species, physiological traits, leaf and stem fractions
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How to cite this article
Amar, A. L., Tarsono, Pitopang, R., Swastika, I. N., Amar, A. A., & Syahri. (2026). Physiological comparison of Panicum sarmentosum and Panicum maximum forage crops: Stomata density, chlorophyll, and herbage nitrogen contents. Science Archives, 7(4), 347–356. https://doi.org/10.47587/SA.2026.7401
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