Fodder Production and Grassland Management

PARA GRASS
(Brachiaria mutica)

Para Grass - (Neerpull / Thanneerpull / Erumai pull):

• It is a perennial with prostrate shoots freely rooting at nodes forming dense cover. It is suitable for cultivation in humid areas. It is grown in seasonally flooded valleys and lowlands and can withstand water logging and long term flooding. It cannot grow on drylands in arid or semi - arid areas. It is sensitive to cold and makes little or no growth during winter months in sub-tropical regions of India.
• Water logged soils are best suited for this crop. It can be grown on sandy soils also, provided water supply is sufficient.
• Seed setting is very poor in this grass. It is propagated exclusively by stem cuttings. It can be planted at any time in South Indian conditions, but June - July planting is advisable under rainfed . There are no improved varieties of this grass (only local).
• The field is well prepared and levelled. Thin shoots are used as planting material. Stems with 2-3 nodes are planted in 45-60 cm rows at 20 cm spacing. The stems are pressed into wet soil leaving the two ends sticking up. 800-1000 kg of stem cuttings are needed for planting one hectare.
• Initially the plant sends surface runners that root at the nodes. Erect shoots are produced only after the field is completely covered by the runners. Liberal manuring is necessary for high yields. Sullage water or cattle shed washings are ideal for this crop. Or else, apply 20-25 t/ha of FYM every year. 25-30 kg N/ha is applied after each cut. Once in a year, apply 60 kg P₂O₅ /ha for better and sustained growth.
• The crop needs liberal irrigations at fairly close intervals. The land should always be kept moist. Weed control is not important because of the high competitive vigour of the crop. During establishment one or two hand weedings may be given . The weed Mimosa pudica (touch - me - not) is not suppressed by this crop.
• The first cut is taken 75-80 days after planting and the subsequent cuts at 40-45 days interval. Totally, 6-9 cuts can be taken in a year with an average green fodder yield of 80-100 t/ha. This grass is fed in the green form. It is not suitable for conservation either as hay or as silage. While feeding in green form, the mature culms are often rejected. So, chaffing is needed for mature grass. The grass is low in the nutritive value with 6-8% crude protein. Though some intercropping systems with legumes are suggested, it is widely grown as a pure crop.