Brachiaria Plantaginea (link) A.s. Hitchc. - >>urochloa Plantaginea

Overview of Brachiaria plantaginea

Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) A.S. Hitchc. is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is also known by several other common names, including branched signalgrass, sainha, and purpletop. The plant is native to South America, but it has been introduced to other parts of the world, including Central America, North America, Africa, and Asia.

Appearance of Brachiaria plantaginea

Brachiaria plantaginea is a robust perennial grass that can grow up to 1.5 meters tall. It has a deep root system that enables it to tolerate drought conditions. The leaves of the plant are broad and lance-shaped, with a dark green color and a glossy appearance. The leaf sheaths are hairy, while the blades are somewhat flat or slightly folded. The inflorescence of the plant is a panicle with purple or purplish-brown spikelets. These spikelets are arranged in a branching pattern, giving the plant one of its common names, branched signalgrass.

Uses of Brachiaria plantaginea

Brachiaria plantaginea is widely used as a forage grass for livestock. It can provide a good source of food for cattle, sheep, and goats since it has a high nutritional value and is relatively easy to digest. The grass also has medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. In addition, some studies have shown that extracts from Brachiaria plantaginea have potent insecticidal and antifungal properties, making it a potential candidate for the development of natural pesticides.

Despite its benefits, Brachiaria plantaginea can be considered an invasive species in some areas where it has been introduced. The plant can grow rapidly and form dense stands, outcompeting native vegetation. This can have negative impacts on the local ecosystem, leading to a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services.

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Light Conditions

Brachiaria plantaginea is a warm-season grass which requires full sun conditions to grow and develop abundantly. It cannot tolerate shaded conditions and needs at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day to thrive.

Temperature Requirements

The grass is adapted to a warm and humid climate. It needs a minimum temperature of 20°C to germinate and grow adequately. The optimal temperature range for this plant is between 25-30°C, with a maximum threshold of 35°C. This grass cannot withstand frost conditions and will not grow in areas with winter temperatures below -3°C.

Soil Conditions

The plant prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types, including sandy loam, clay loam, and even acidic soils. The optimal soil pH range for Brachiaria plantaginea is between 5.5 to 7.5. It cannot grow in areas with waterlogged soil or low soil fertility.

Cultivation Methods

Brachiaria plantaginea is an annual weed that is commonly found in agricultural fields. However, it can also be cultivated as a forage crop. The best time to plant is during the rainy season, and the seeds should be sown at a depth of 1-2 cm. The soil must be well-prepared and free of weeds to ensure good growth. The plant prefers full sunlight and can grow in a variety of soils with a pH of 4.5-8.0. It is highly tolerant of drought and can withstand flooding to some extent.

Watering Needs

Brachiaria plantaginea requires moderate to low amounts of water. It is drought-tolerant and can go without water for extended periods. However, watering the plant during the initial stage of growth is crucial for good establishment. Once the plant is well-established, it can withstand periods of dry spells. It is essential to ensure proper drainage to avoid waterlogging, which can lead to the rotting of the roots.

Fertilization

Brachiaria plantaginea is a highly responsive plant to fertilizers, and it is recommended to apply fertilizers before planting. Generally, nitrogen and potassium are applied in a 2:1 ratio at a rate of 50-100 kg/ha. In soils that are poor in phosphorus, a dose of 30-50 kg/ha of P2O5 is recommended. The amount of fertilizer required depends on the fertility status of the soil and the expected yield.

Pruning

Pruning is not a common activity practiced on Brachiaria plantaginea. However, the plant can be cut back if grown for animal feed. The best time to cut the plant is when it reaches a height of 50-60 cm. The cut material can be utilized as a fresh forage or dried for storage. Cutting the plant prevents seed production and can limit the spread of the weed.

Propagation of Brachiaria plantaginea

Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) A.S. Hitchc., also known as Palisade grass, is a warm-season annual or perennial grass used for forage, hay, and erosion control. Propagation of Brachiaria plantaginea can be done through several methods including seeds, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture.

Seed propagation

Seed propagation is the most common method of propagating Brachiaria plantaginea. Seeds are typically planted during the spring when soil temperatures reach 60°F and higher. The seeds can be broadcasted or drilled into the soil and then covered with a light layer of soil. The germination rate of Brachiaria plantaginea seeds is relatively high, and seedlings can emerge within 10 to 14 days after planting.

For optimum growth, the seedbed should be maintained weed-free and moist until the seedlings have established a strong root system. After the plants have grown to a sufficient size, they can be transplanted or thinned out to allow for proper spacing.

Vegetative propagation

Vegetative propagation of Brachiaria plantaginea can be done by dividing roots or through stem cuttings. This method is typically used for large-scale plantings or when seeds are not readily available.

The roots of Brachiaria plantaginea can be divided into smaller sections and transplanted into prepared soil. Generally, the divided roots should have at least one shoot and one root section. The transplanted roots should be given the same care as seedlings until they have established a strong root system.

Stem cuttings can also be taken from mature plants during the active growing season. The cuttings should be taken from healthy stems and should be at least 4 inches in length. The cuttings should be planted in prepared soil and maintained in a humid environment until they have established roots.

Tissue culture

Tissue culture is a propagation method used for Brachiaria plantaginea to produce large quantities of identical plants. The process involves taking small pieces of plant tissue and placing them in a nutrient-rich medium that encourages cell division and plant growth.

The tissue culture method is typically done in a laboratory and requires specialized equipment and expertise. However, this method can produce a large number of plants in a short amount of time and can be beneficial for research and large-scale plantings.

Common Diseases and Pests of Brachiaria plantaginea

Brachiaria plantaginea, commonly known as palisade grass, is prone to various diseases and pests that have the potential to reduce crop productivity. Understanding the common diseases and pests and adopting appropriate management strategies can help sustain crop growth and protect against significant yield losses.

Diseases

The most common diseases that affect Brachiaria plantaginea are leaf spot and rust. Leaf spot is caused by the fungus Helminthosporium sp. and appears as small, dark-brown spots on leaves. Rust is caused by the fungus Puccinia brachypodii and appears as small, orange pustules on the undersides of leaves.

To manage leaf spot, farmers should maintain good hygiene practices such as removing infected plant debris and avoiding overhead watering. The application of fungicides, such as chlorothalonil, mancozeb, and propiconazole, can also help manage the disease.

For rust management, the infected plants should be removed and destroyed, and the surrounding area should be sprayed with fungicides such as propiconazole, tebuconazole, or triadimenol. Crop rotation, clean field practices, and use of resistant cultivars can also help manage rust disease.

Pests

The major pests that affect Brachiaria plantaginea are armyworms and stink bugs. Armyworms can cause substantial crop losses, particularly on young plants. Stink bugs feed on developing seed heads and can reduce yield and retard growth.

To manage armyworms, farmers should monitor the crops regularly, and once the pest is detected, they should apply appropriate chemical control measures such as diflubenzuron or lambda-cyhalothrin.

Stink bugs can be managed through cultural practices such as timing planting to avoid the pest's peak population. Insecticides such as chlorpyrifos, deltamethrin, and permethrin can also help manage stink bugs.

Conclusion

Brachiaria plantaginea is an important fodder crop, and disease and pest management is crucial for maintaining crop productivity and reducing yield losses. Farmers should adopt good crop management practices, including hygiene, cultural practices, and timely use of appropriate pesticides, to keep the crop disease and pest-free.