Biomass productivity of selected palatable grasses

Abstract

Palatable grasses such as Cenchrus ciliaris, C. setigerus, Dichanthium annulatum, Sehima nervosum etc. are the main source of fodder for the cattle. An experiment was conducted in 2006 to study the effect of biomass production of three palatable grasses i.e., C. ciliaris, D. annulatum and S. nervosum in pure and mixed stands at Geer Foundation, Gandhinagar, India. All three grasses were grown separately in pure stands, in combination of two and all three together. The monthly maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity and sunshine hours were recorded. The various growth parameters studied for all sets were the above ground fresh weight, above ground dry weight, number of leaves, below ground fresh weight and below ground dry weight. The results showed that C. ciliaris flourished vigorously and was dominant over D. annulatum in mixed stands. S. nervosum could not sustain harsh summer conditions and failed to get established.