Abstract:

Eulaliopsis binata, a typical wild living resource, is an excellent grass species which is used as material for papermaking and can prevent water loss and soil erosion. Since there are few studies examining the resource collection and assessment of E. binata, in this paper we attempt to use field studies on concentrated areas of Chinese E. binata germplasm resources in 20 counties in nine provinces, collect 20 kinds of E. binata germplasm resources, analyse the principal living environmental characteristics of collection areas of E. binata germplasm resources, and compare the principal economic characteristics of E. binata germplasm resources. Results showed that the collections of E. binata were mainly located in the ranges of 22°-34° N , 101°-114° E, with an elevation of 100-1,000 m, annual average temperatures of 14-22℃, annual sunshine hour ranges of 1,112-2,624 h, and annual average rainfall amounts between 642-2,330 mm. Principal component analysis of climate factors of E. binata showed that the distribution of E. binata was more influenced by temperature and rainfall, while less so by elevation and sunshine hours. The principal economic characteristics of E. binata germplasm resources, such as leaf length, thickness of cell walls, diameter of the cavity, ratio of cell wall and diameter of cavity and yield, show significant differences. Using ward clustering analysis of the principal economic characteristics, the collected E. binata germplasm resources can be divided into 3 categories, of which nine E. binata germplasm resources can be used as reference species for excellent E. binata selection and breeding. The study provides evidence for the selection of improved varieties and utilization of E. binata germplasm resources.

Key words: Eulaliopsis binata, paper making material, habitat, economic characters, yield