FORAGE CROPS

Forage Grass

This forms the most common natural herbage for the herbivorous animals. This is a very large, cosmopolitan group of grasses. Most grasses are herbaceous, small, erect or prostrate. Some are annuals and some perennials, suited to humid, tropical, sub-tropical or temperate areas. The general habit, yield, other characters etc. of forage grasses, legumes and cereals suitable for Kerala conditions are given separately in Cultivated Forage Grasses

Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass)

This is a native to tropical Africa. It is a tall tussock grass and is adapted to a variety of soils from sandy to clay soils. A good grass for drier region.

Brachiaria decumbens (Signal grass)

This is native to Uganda and adjoining east African countries. This is a vigorous, trailing perennial grass. Erect shoots develop from a long, prostrate stolon. This grass is adapted to humid tropical areas of rainfall not less than 1500 mm. Propagation by seed and by slips.

Brachiaria mutica (Para grass)

This is a native to tropical Africa and South America. Para is a rather coarse and vigorous perennial grass spreading by means of stout stolons which root and branch readily at all nodes. Important characteristic of para grass is its adaptability to wet conditions, water logging and prolonged flooding. Propagation by slips or stem cuttings.

Brachiaria ruziziensis (Ruzi grass or Congo signal)

This is a native of African Congo, vigorous, prostrate to semi-prostrate perennial and leaves are soft, covered with fine hairs and sharply pointed. Under Kerala conditions, it has a long vegetative growing period and flowering in September-October and seed maturing in December. Under grazing system it forms a dense mat. The grass is palatable, withstands grazing well and produces high dry matter yields. Water requirement is high. Propagation by seed, slips and stem. It does not tolerate water logging. Being shade tolerant, suitable for intercropping in coconut gardens.

Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass)

This grass is summer growing, deep-rooted, perennial, drought tolerant rough, hairy and having good persistence against heavy grazing and burning. This is best suited for area of rainfall of less than 1000 mm.

Panicum maximum (Guinea grass)

It is a tall growing perennial forming dense tillers, which enlarge by short root-stocks or short creeping rhizomes. Leaves are long and broad. This grass is adapted to a wide range of soils and is drought and shade tolerant. Propagation by seed and slips. The grass is recommended for cultivation in coconut gardens.

Setaria anceps (Golden thimothy)

Setaria forms dense tillers and spread by short rhizomes. Leaves are long, thin and hairless. This is very much acceptable to cattle and has a high digestibility. This is relatively frost tolerant and also withstands water logging to some extent. Propagation usually by seed.

Melinis minutiflora (Molasses grass)

This grass, a native of tropical Africa requires a minimum rainfall of around 1000 mm. This is a tufted leafy perennial with loose trailing stems which may root from the lower nodes. The stems form a dense struggling mat. Leaves are flat, short flushed red-green in colour and covered with hairs which exude a secretion with a strong molasses odour. Suited for cooler climate.

Pennisetum typhodieu purpureum (Hybrid Napier)

This is a cross between elephant grass and bajra. It is a native to Africa. It can be successfully propagated vegetatively in areas having minimum around 1500 mm annual rainfall and temperature range of 30°–35°C. Propagation by stem cuttings rooted stem and slips and never by seeds. Under sewage irrigation it can yield over 300 tonnes per hectare. Co2 and Co3 are the recent promising varieties.