Fodder and Grass: Guinea grass

Guinea grass

GUINEA GRASS
(Panicum maximum)

Guinea grass-Field view

Guinea Grass - Guineapull:

Guinea grass is indigenous to tropical Africa. It is a tall (1-4.5 m), tufted and fast growing highly palatable perennial grass. It has short creeping rhizome. Establishes readily by seed or plantation of rooted slips. Crude protein ranges from 4 to 14%.
Season and Variety
- Hamil, PPG -14, Makuni, Rivers-dale are some of the varieties. Co₁ and Co₂ are varieties of guinea grass released by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. Green Panic (P.maximum var. trichoglume) is a botancial variety of guinea grass. Petrie is a common variety of green panic.
- The cultivation practices for the varieties Co₁ and Co₂ are presented here.
- Co₁ variety can be grown throughout the year under irrigated conditions. Suitable for growing in the monsoon season under rainfed condition. Co₂, a recently released variety by TNAU is a cross derivative of Co₁ x Centenario. Co₂ yields green fodder upto 270 t/ha/year.
Soil
- All types of soil with good drainage. Does not come up well on heavy clay soil or flooded or waterlogged conditions.
Preparatory cultivation
- Plough 2 to 3 times to obtain a good tilth and form ridges and furrows at 50 cm spacing.
Manuring
- Basal: FYM 25 tonnes/ha ; NPK 50 : 50 : 40 kg/ha
- Top dressing: 25 kg N/ha after each cut.
Seed Rate: Seed 2.5 kg/ha , Slips 66,000 nos./ha
Spacing: 50 x 30 cm
After cultivation
- First hoeing and weeding on 30^th day after germination. Earthing up once in three harvests.
Irrigation once in ten days or depending upon soil condition
Plant protection generally not needed
Harvest
- First cut 75- 80 days after germination or 45 days after planting of slips. Subsequent cuts at intervals of 45 days.
Storage fed to cattle as green fodder or ensilaged
Yield of green fodder
- 175 tonnes /ha per year in 8 cuts.
- Guinea grass can be intercropped with Hedge Lucerne (Velimasal) at 3:1 ratio and can be harvested together and fed to the animals.

Last modified: Wednesday, 17 August 2011, 9:56 AM

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      - Bajra Napier hybrid grass
      - Guinea grass
      - Para grass
      - Buffel grass
      - Assignment
      - Staggered sowing - Animation
      - Bajra Napier hybrid grass
      - Guinea grass
      - Para grass
      - Buffel grass
      - Assignment
      - Staggered sowing - Animation
    - Topic 24
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LPM 121: Fodder Production and Grassland Management (1+1)

Guinea grass

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