on an estimated one million acres3, is one of the areas of most
extensive use.
 DESCRIPTION
 Pangolagrass resembles ordinary crabgrass [Digitaria san-
guinalis (L.) Scop] but is perennial in growth habit, forming an
abundance of decumbent stems that root at nodes which touch
the ground (Figure 1). It produces a leafy growth in early
spring followed by a profuse development of seed stalks that
reach 3 or more feet in height. The many-branched inflorescence
bears florets with less than .001% producing viable seed.


 Figure 1.-Pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.).

 BREEDING
 The possibilities of improving pangolagrass by selection
within the present population are poor because there is little
variation among plants. All the areas now planted have come
from vegetative division of the few original sprigs, and no
important variants have been found. The results of efforts to
produce new forms by irradiation and other treatments have
not been evaluated.
 Conventional breeding methods used for forage grasses have
not been applied to pangolagrass because it is sterile. It is
3Garza, Ricardo T. Private communication. Londus No. 40. Mexico 8, D.F.
1965.