Perennial Subtropical GrassAsif Ali

B.Sc(hons)Agronomy

To improve livestock productivity by providing good quality “Feed and Solutions”.

Shares in GDP 21.4%.

GDP of Livestock 13.3%.

GDP of Milk 2.93%.

4th. Largest country 180 million livestock.

Perennial subtropical grass(wild) native to Africa.

Domestication.

In Pakistan:

Sindh, Southern Punjab

J.K Daries,Nishat Daries,

Engro and Nestle.

Perennial.

Hairless leaves.

Adapted to range of soils and climates.

Drought tolerance.

Perennial Crop:

Available for 3 years.

Nutritional Value:

. CP 12-17%.

NDF 70%.

Energy 18.3MJ/Kg DM.

Crop Yield Protein

Rhodes Grass

50-70t/year

16-18% at 10%

flowering

Maize 16-20t/season

8-10%

Mott grass 40-45ton/year

6-8%

Climate:

Wide range of climate.

Maximum growth 25-30 oC.

Performs well in Wide range of soils Even in salt effected and reclaims.

Fine, moist and levelled seed bed for goodgermination and uniform crop stand establishment.

Fine Cut

Reclaimer

Broadcast.

Note: broadcast the seed in calm and still air.

8-10 kg recommended for good stand establishment.

February-May.

September-October.

1 Bag DAP.

1 bag Urea.

After each cutting 1 bag Urea.

After sowing first irrigation is 25-30 DAS.

Resistant.

Not reported yet.

No severe weeds problem.

If it is then use selective Herbicides.

First cut 50 DAS.

Subsequent cutting 25-30 Days.

Cutting 4 inches above ground.

6-8 Cuttings in a year. Even upto 9 cuttings in Sindh .

50-70tons/year(fodder)

12-16tons/year(hay

Mowing

Tedding

Raking

Bailing

Storage