Overview of Brachiaria plantaginea
Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc. is a species of grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is also commonly known as Alexander grass, popcorn grass, or millet grass and is native to South America. Alexander grass has been introduced in various countries, including the United States, where it is sometimes considered an invasive species.
General Appearance
Alexander grass is an annual or perennial grass species that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It has a shallow and fibrous root system, and its stems can be smooth or hairy, and erect or ascending. Its leaves are elongated and flat, and they can range from 2 to 8 inches long and 0.2 to 0.6 inches wide. Its inflorescence is composed of dense and spike-like clusters that can be up to four inches long.
Common Uses
Brachiaria plantaginea has been utilized in various ways, including forage, grain, and soil conservation. The grass can be grazed by livestock, providing a significant source of fodder that is highly palatable and nutritious. It can also be harvested for grain production, although this is not common. Alexander grass can also help prevent soil erosion and aid in the reclamation of degraded soils due to its rooting system. Finally, the grass can also be used as a cover crop to suppress weeds and enhance the soil's fertility.
hereLight Requirements
Brachiaria plantaginea requires full sun to partial shade to grow optimally. This plant can tolerate some shade, but it prefers a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day.
Temperature Requirements
Brachiaria plantaginea grows best in warm temperatures. The plant thrives in temperatures ranging between 25 and 35 degrees Celsius, but it can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees Celsius. Temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius can affect the plant's growth and development.
Soil Requirements
Brachiaria plantaginea can grow in different soil types but prefers well-drained soils with good fertility. This plant can adapt to soils with a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5. However, it thrives in soils with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. Brachiaria plantaginea can also tolerate soils with a high level of salinity, but excessive salt in soil can damage the plant.
Cultivation of Brachiaria Plantaginea
Brachiaria plantaginea, commonly known as 'Alexandergrass,' requires a warm climate and sufficient precipitation for satisfactory growth. It thrives well in soil with reasonable fertility and has a vigorous and fibrous root system.
Watering Needs
In general, Brachiaria plantaginea requires sufficient moisture, and the soil should be kept moist throughout the growing season. Irrigation should be done when the soil moisture falls below optimal levels, preferably during the early morning or late evening.
Fertilization
Brachiaria plantaginea responds well to a balanced fertilization program. The application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will stimulate growth and produce higher yields.
Pruning
Pruning is a crucial aspect of Brachiaria plantaginea cultivation as it stimulates new growth and maintains an attractive appearance. Pruning should be done during the early spring or fall months, and the plant should be cut back to about three to four inches above the ground. This process will encourage the development of new shoots and a denser foliage cover.
Propagation of Brachiaria plantaginea
Brachiaria plantaginea (Link) Hitchc. is a warm-season perennial grass that is primarily propagated through seeds. However, vegetative propagation methods can also be employed to establish new plants.
Seed propagation
The most common method of propagating Brachiaria plantaginea is through seeds. The seeds can be collected from the matured fruits and stored for future use. Before planting, the seeds should be treated with fungicides to prevent fungal attack. The seeds can be sown directly in the field or in nursery beds.
Vegetative propagation
Vegetative propagation of Brachiaria plantaginea is less common but can be used to establish new plants. The grass can be propagated through stem cuttings, rhizome division, and tiller separation. Stem cuttings should be taken from healthy and mature plants and should be approximately 15-20 cm long. Rhizome division involves separating the rhizomes from the mother plant and planting them separately. Tiller separation involves manually separating young tillers from the main plant and planting them in separate locations.
Overall, it is important to choose the appropriate propagation method based on the availability of resources and time. Seed propagation is less labor-intensive and can produce a large number of plants, while vegetative propagation requires more effort but can produce clones of the parent plant that exhibit desirable traits.
Disease Management
Brachiaria plantaginea is susceptible to several diseases such as leaf blight, rust, and Rhizoctonia solani.
Leaf blight can be controlled by the application of fungicides such as carbendazim, mancozeb, and chlorothalonil. It is also important to avoid overhead irrigation and crop rotation to reduce the spread of the disease. Rust can be controlled using fungicides such as propiconazole, tebuconazole, and triadimefon. Crop rotation and the removal of infected plant debris can also help to reduce its spread. Rhizoctonia solani can be managed by using resistant cultivars and maintaining proper soil moisture levels.
Pest Management
Brachiaria plantaginea is susceptible to pests such as armyworms, aphids, and nematodes.
Armyworms can be controlled using chemical insecticides such as permethrin, spinosad, and chlorpyrifos. Cultural practices such as planting early and crop rotation can also reduce the pest population. Aphids can be controlled using insecticides such as imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam. Planting resistant cultivars can also reduce their impact. Nematodes can be managed by using crop rotation, planting resistant cultivars, and soil fumigation with nematicides such as carbofuran, oxamyl, and fenamiphos.