Origin and Common Names
Brachiaria hians Stapf is a plant species that belongs to the Poaceae family. The plant is native to tropical Africa but is now widely distributed across the globe due to its numerous benefits. The plant goes by several common names, including brush signalgrass, herringbone grass, broadleaf signalgrass, and large crabgrass.
Appearance
The plant Brachiaria hians Stapf is a perennial that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. The plant has creeping stems that can be as long as 1.5 meters, with internodes spaced at regular intervals. The leaves are flat with a width of about 1 cm and are usually 8-16 cm long. The plant has an open, spreading growth habit and can form a dense turf.
Uses
Brachiaria hians Stapf is an important forage crop used for animal feed in several countries. The plant is highly palatable and can support high animal production. Additionally, it has been used for soil conservation and can be intercropped with other crops as a cover crop to prevent soil erosion and enhance soil fertility. The plant has been used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, wounds, and fever. The root extract has also been used as a natural insecticide and has shown effective control against stored product pests.
Growth Conditions for Brachiaria hians Stapf
Brachiaria hians Stapf is a warm-season perennial grass species that thrives well in tropical and subtropical regions. The following are the typical growth conditions for the plant:
Light
The plant requires full sunlight exposure to achieve optimal growth and productivity. Therefore, it is not recommended to grow Brachiaria hians Stapf in shady areas or under trees.
Temperature
The plant requires an average temperature of 25-30°C, which is suitable for growth and development. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of 15°C and a maximum temperature of 40°C. Brachiaria hians Stapf does not tolerate frost and should not be grown in areas with temperatures below 10°C.
Soil Requirements
Brachiaria hians Stapf prefers well-drained soils with good fertility, pH between 5.5 and 7.5, and medium to high organic matter content. It can also grow moderately well in acidic soils with pH levels as low as 4.5. However, it is not recommended to grow the plant in soils with high salinity or high aluminum concentrations, as these can limit its growth and productivity.
Cultivation methods
Brachiaria hians Stapf is propagated from seeds. Farmers can raise nurseries and transplant seedlings to the main field or directly sow seeds in the field. The seeds should be sown in a well-prepared seedbed with good drainage capacity and weed-free environment. Farmers can sow the seeds at a depth of 1-2 cm and a distance of 25-30 cm between rows.
Watering needs
Brachiaria hians Stapf requires an average rainfall of 700 mm to 1,500 mm annually. The plant is drought-resistant but performs best in soils that have a consistent supply of water. Farmers can provide supplemental irrigation during prolonged dry spells to improve the crop's performance.
Fertilization
Brachiaria hians Stapf responds well to fertilizers, and farmers should apply enough nutrients to improve soil fertility and increase yields. Soil testing can help determine the right amounts of nutrients required. Farmers can use organic manure or inorganic fertilizers, preferably in split applications during the planting and growing stages.
Pruning
Pruning Brachiaria hians Stapf is not necessary since it is a low-growing grass that does not form stems or branches. However, farmers can maintain the plant height by mowing or grazing to encourage the production of fresh and palatable leaves. Regularly removing the dry and dead leaves can also improve the plant's appearance and productivity.
Propagation of Brachiaria hians Stapf
Brachiaria hians Stapf, also known as the signal grass, is propagated through both sexual and asexual methods.
Sexual Propagation
Seeds are collected from matured plants and dried in the shade to avoid damage by direct sunlight. Afterward, they are stored in a cool and dry environment to preserve their viability. Before planting, the seeds are treated with a fungicide solution for better germination and disease-free seedlings. Planting is done during the rainy season as the soil is moist and favorable for germination. The seeds are sowed directly into the soil, and the germination period is between 2 to 3 weeks.
Asexual Propagation
Brachiaria hians Stapf is also propagated through vegetative methods such as stem cuttings and sods. Sods are obtained by digging out portions of the sod along with the root system. The sods are then cut into manageable sizes and directly planted in the field. Stem cuttings are also used for propagation, and they are taken from matured plants. The cuttings are treated with a rooting hormone to stimulate root growth and planted in a rooting medium. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the cuttings to form a good root system before they are transplanted to the field.
Disease Management
Brachiaria hians Stapf is susceptible to a few diseases, including leaf spot, rust, and fungal infections. To manage these diseases, it is essential to implement the following management practices:
- Ensure proper drainage of the soil to prevent waterlogging
- Rotate crops to prevent the buildup of pathogens in the soil
- Avoid overhead irrigation to prevent the spread of diseases
- Apply fungicides as a preventive measure
- Remove infected plants and burn them to prevent the spread of the disease
Pest Management
Brachiaria hians Stapf is commonly attacked by pests such as armyworms, termites, and root-knot nematodes. To manage these pests, the following practices can be implemented:
- Plant resistant varieties or cultivars of the plant
- Practice good weed management to reduce hiding places for pests
- Apply appropriate pesticides to control pests
- Use biological control methods such as introducing predator insects to control pests
- Regularly monitor the crop for signs of pest infestation
