Morphological Characterisation of <i>Panicum</i><i> maximum</i> (Guinea Grass) Across Selected Agro-ecological Zones of Tanzania

This study evaluated the morphological variation of Panicum maximum across two agro-ecological zones in Tanzania: Semi-arid (Mpwapwa district) and sub-humid (Moshi rural district). Plant sampling was conducted using 0.5m<sup>2 </sup>quadrants, with one plant per quadrant, as assessed for plant height, leaf-to-stem ratio, leaf size, number of tillers, and fresh weight to estimate biomass. In six villages, four 10 m<sup>2</sup> plots were established, and six quadrant throws per site provided 144 samples. Soil texture, mineral composition, cation exchange capacity, and fertility were also analyzed. The results indicated sandy soils in the semi-arid zone and clay soils in the sub-humid zone. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in all measured morphological traits across zones. The average leaf-to-stem ratio varied significantly between districts and terrains, with hilly areas exerting notable effects on forage quality. Leaf length differed significantly between valley and plain areas, while tiller number varied between zones. In the sub-humid zone, plant traits were relatively stable across terrains, whereas in the semi-arid zone, terrain strongly influenced growth. Biomass yield was consistent across all agro-ecological indicating the species' adaptability. Soil and moisture conditions were key determinants of P. maximum performance. These findings emphasize the importance of soil fertility enhancement and moisture conservation as interventions to optimize P. maximum performance and sustain its role as a key forage resource in diverse environments.