Grasses for Soil and Water Conservation Selected by Analytic Hierarchy Process

  Objective  Varieties of grass were evaluated for soil and water conservation in Fujian area.

  Method  In Changting, the area where soil erosion and water conservation have become a serious concern, 11 varieties of grass for forage were screened according to their characteristics on the rates of germination, survival, coverage, and litter water-holding capacity as well as the weight of root mass. Analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy mathematics method were applied for the selection of best adaptable grass in the area.

  Result  Paspalum notatum Flugge, Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv. Minyin, Pennisetum americanum×P.purpureum Mincao 1, Penniseturn americanum×P.purpureum cv. Minmu 6, Pueraria lobata, and Macroptilium atropurpureum, were considered superior or desirable varieties. Pennisetun purpureum cv. red, Cassia obtusifolia, Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, Mimosa pudica exhibited good performance, whereas, Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv. Fuyin 1 did not perform well.

  Conclusion  The gramineous grass, Paspalum notatum Flugge, Pennisetum americanum×P.purpureum Mincao 1, Penniseturn americanum×P.purpureum cv. Minmu 6, and leguminous grass, Chamaecrista rotundifolia cv. Minyin, Pueraria lobate, Macroptilium atropurpureum, appeared to be suitable for cultivation in the areas around Changting.