Overview
Brachiaria brevispicata (Rendle) Stapf is a warm-season perennial grass that belongs to the family Poaceae. It is native to Africa and is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Common Names
Common names for Brachiaria brevispicata include African signalgrass, red signalgrass, and shortspike signalgrass.
Appearance
Brachiaria brevispicata has a robust and erect growth habit, and it can grow up to 1.2 meters tall. The leaf blades are flat, linear, and can reach up to 40 centimeters in length and 2-4 millimeters in width. The inflorescence is composed of spikelets that are arranged in a characteristic finger-like shape, and the color of the inflorescence can range from green to red.
Uses
Brachiaria brevispicata is mainly used as a forage grass for livestock due to its high nutritional value and palatability. It can also be used as a cover crop to prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and as a companion plant in agroforestry systems. Additionally, it has been studied for its potential use as a bioenergy crop due to its high biomass production and low lignin content.
Light Requirements
Brachiaria brevispicata requires full sunlight exposure to grow properly. It thrives in areas with more than six hours of direct sunlight per day. Lack of sunlight exposure may lead to poor growth, reduced yield, and decreased forage quality.
Temperature Requirements
This species grows best in tropical and subtropical climates. It tolerates high temperatures ranging from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius. Frost and low temperatures can damage or kill the plant.
Soil Requirements
Brachiaria brevispicata grows well in well-drained soils with pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. The plant can tolerate acid soils but thrives in soils rich in nutrients, organic matter, and adequate moisture. It is sensitive to waterlogging, poorly drained soils, and saline conditions.
Cultivation Methods
Brachiaria brevispicata (Rendle) Stapf, commonly known as brachiaria, is a tropical grass ideally grown as a protein supplement for livestock. The species is mostly propagated through seeds or vegetative methods such as stem cuttings. For seed propagation, farmers need to identify superior varieties and develop pure seed-bed areas. When planting vegetatively, the stem cuttings should be planted during the rainy season to enable fast establishment and convergence. The farming area should have well-drained soils with moderate fertility levels, allowing the plants to establish a desirable root system. In terms of spacing, inter-row and intra-row spacing should be approximately 50 cm and 30-40 cm, respectively. Brachiaria brevispicata requires full sunlight for optimal growth and development.
Watering Needs
Water is crucial for the growth and development of Brachiaria brevispicata. In their establishment phase, the plants need regular irrigation to promote active growth. Farmers should supply enough water to keep the soil moist for the first six months of planting. During the first year, the plants should be watered every two to four weeks, mainly in dry seasons. Overwatering the plants can cause root rot, and insufficient irrigation can cause wilting. Farmers should use rainwater or well water for irrigation as brachiaria can withstand water with high salinity levels.
Fertilization
To ensure proper growth and development of Brachiaria brevispicata, farmers need to add fertilizers to their farming system. The application rate and the type of fertilizer used may vary depending on soil type and climatic conditions. However, for optimal performance, adding 300 kg of Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) per hectare during planting is recommended. After that, farmers can add a nitrogen-based fertilizer during the early growing stage and follow up with a phosphorus-based fertilizer during the mid-growing stage. Top-dressing the plants every three months with 100kg/ha of urea is also recommended to maintain adequate nitrogen levels.
Pruning
Pruning helps to maintain the quality of the forage and remove dead or diseased parts of the plant. Brachiaria brevispicata should be pruned to a height of approximately 10-15cm, depending on the stage of growth. This will help the plants to produce more branches, leading to a more extensive root system and higher biomass production. For optimal results, farmers should prune their plants during their early growing stage before harvesting the material for animal feed.
Propagation of Brachiaria brevispicata
Brachiaria brevispicata (Rendle) Stapf, commonly known as reseeding Brachiaria, is a perennial grass species native to Africa. It is widely used as a forage crop in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Propagation of Brachiaria brevispicata can be achieved through either sexual or asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation
Sexual propagation involves the use of seeds that are produced by the plant. Brachiaria brevispicata produces seeds abundantly, and they can be harvested by collecting the mature seed heads when they are dry. The seeds can then be stored in a cool and dry place for later use or planted immediately.
To plant Brachiaria brevispicata seeds, the soil should be prepared by removing any weeds and loosening the soil to a depth of at least 10 cm. The seeds can be broadcasted by scattering them uniformly over the prepared soil, followed by light raking to cover them with soil. After planting, the soil should be watered regularly to keep it moist until the seeds germinate, which usually takes 7-14 days.
Asexual Propagation
Asexual propagation involves the use of vegetative parts of the plant, such as stems, roots, or leaves. Brachiaria brevispicata can be propagated through stem cuttings, root division, or tissue culture.
Stem cuttings can be taken from mature plants during the growing season. The stems should be at least 15 cm long and have at least two nodes (points of leaf attachment). The leaves on the lower half of the stem should be removed, and the stem should be cut into sections of about 10 cm. The stem cuttings can be planted directly into the soil or in a rooting medium, such as sand or vermiculite. The cuttings should be kept moist and shaded until they develop roots, which usually takes 2-4 weeks.
Root division involves separating the root mass of an established plant into smaller sections, each containing at least one shoot and a portion of the root system. The sections can be planted directly into the soil or in a potting mix, and they should be kept moist until new growth appears, which usually takes a few weeks.
Tissue culture is a more complex method of asexual propagation that involves using small pieces of plant tissue to produce new plants under sterile conditions in a laboratory. It is an effective method for producing large quantities of uniform plants but requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Disease Management
Brachiaria brevispicata is susceptible to various fungal and bacterial diseases, including rust, leaf spot, and smut. These diseases can cause significant damage to the plant and reduce productivity. To manage these diseases, it is recommended to use disease-resistant varieties, practice crop rotation, and employ appropriate fungicides or bactericides when required. It is also essential to maintain proper plant density and spacing to improve aeration and minimize humidity, which can reduce disease incidence.
Pest Management
The main pests affecting Brachiaria brevispicata include caterpillars, stem borers, and grasshoppers. These insect pests can cause significant yield losses by feeding on the foliage and stem of the plant. To manage pest infestations, it is recommended to use integrated pest management strategies, including proper field sanitation, cultural practices, and biological control agents. Insecticides should only be used as a last resort when pest populations exceed the economic threshold.
