Overview
Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder is a type of perennial grass. It is native to Australia, but it has spread to many other regions. The plant is known by several common names, including white guinea grass, white brachiaria, and white top.
General Appearance
Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder grows up to 2 meters tall. It has a robust and extensive root system that can penetrate up to 1.5 meters deep. The stems are erect, long, and slender, and they have a slightly hairy surface. The leaves are narrow and linear, and they are usually around 10-35 cm long and 2-5 mm wide.
Uses
Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder has several uses. It is often used to stabilize soil, especially on steep slopes, as it has an extensive root system that helps prevent erosion. It can also be grown as a forage crop for livestock, as it has high protein content and is highly palatable to animals. Additionally, the plant can be used for turfing, landscaping, and erosion control in urban areas.
Light Requirements
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera is a warm-season grass that loves sunlight. It grows best when exposed to full sunlight, which means it requires at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. Insufficient light can cause the plant to experience stunted growth and may lead to poor yield.
Temperature Requirements
This grass species prefers warm temperatures ranging from 20°C to 40°C. It can survive in temperatures as low as 0°C, but growth is significantly slowed or stopped at these temperatures. Frost can be fatal to this plant, so it is not suitable for cold climates.
Soil Requirements
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera requires well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It can tolerate sandy and loam soils but does not do well in clay. Soil rich in organic matter can significantly improve the growth and yield of the plant. It is also recommended to fertilize the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium before planting for optimum growth results.
Cultivation Methods
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera is a hardy, warm-season grass that can thrive in a range of soil types. It can be propagated through seeds or vegetative methods such as stem cuttings or sod planting. When planting from seeds, the soil should be prepared by removing any weeds or debris and tilling the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. The seeds can then be broadcasted and lightly covered with soil. Sod planting involves transplanting established grass to a new location.
Watering Needs
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera requires moderate watering and can tolerate dry conditions once it has established roots. Young plants should be watered more frequently, particularly during dry spells. The frequency of watering can vary depending on the soil type, humidity, and temperature. It's important to avoid overwatering, as this can make the plant more susceptible to diseases and pests.
Fertilization
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera requires moderate fertilization to maintain its health and vigor. A balanced fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can be applied during the growing season. It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and avoid applying too much fertilizer, as this can lead to excessive growth and susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Pruning
Brachiaria subquadripara var. piligera generally does not require pruning, except to remove dead or diseased stems. It's important to use clean and sterilized pruning tools to prevent the spread of diseases. If the grass has become too tall and is interfering with its intended use, it can be mowed to the desired height. Mowing should be done with sharp blades and at a height of 3-4 inches.
Propagation Methods
Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder is a tufted perennial grass that can spread vegetatively and through seed propagation.
Seed Propagation
Seed propagation is one of the most common methods of propagating Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder. The seeds should be collected from the plant when they are mature and dry. After collection, the seeds should be cleaned to remove any debris or impurities.
Before sowing the seeds, it is advisable to subject them to a pre-treatment to break their dormancy. Scarification, soaking the seeds in hot water, and exposure to light are common pre-treatment methods used for breaking dormancy.
After pre-treatment, the seeds can be sown in trays or seedbeds filled with soil mixed with organic matter. The seedlings should be transplanted to their permanent location after they have grown their first set of true leaves.
Vegatative Propagation
Brachiaria subquadripara (Trin.) A.S. Hitchc. var. piligera (F. Muell. ex Benth.) Reeder can also propagate vegetatively through stem cuttings. The cuttings should be taken from mature plants during the non-flowering period.
The cuttings should be about 20cm long and should be planted into well-prepared soil. The soil should be kept moist to facilitate root formation on the cuttings. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transplanted to their permanent location.
Disease Management
Brachiaria subquadripara is a hardy and disease-resistant plant. However, some diseases might affect the plant, and management strategies depend on the symptoms and type of disease.
Leaf spot disease is one of the common diseases that affect this plant. Symptoms include small, circular spots on the leaves that turn brown over time and may cause defoliation. The disease is caused by several fungi, and control strategies include crop rotation, removing infected leaves, and fungicide application.
Brown stripe downy mildew is another disease that affects Brachiaria subquadripara. The symptoms include brown stripes that develop on the leaves' midrib and veins, and they may spread throughout the leaf surface. The disease is caused by the fungus Sclerospora graminicola. Management practices include crop rotation, destroying infected plants, and fungicide application.
The foot rot disease may affect the roots and the base of the plant. The symptoms include wilting, yellowing, and stunted growth. The disease is caused by fungi from the Rhizoctonia genus. Soil fumigation and crop rotation are effective management strategies.
Pest Management
Brachiaria subquadripara is also resistant to pests, but some of the common pests that might affect the plant include grasshoppers, armyworms, and mites.
Grasshoppers can cause significant damage to the leaves and stems by feeding on them. Control measures include ploughing around the fields, using traps, and applying insecticides.
Armyworms feed on the leaves and other plant parts, and their infestation might lead to defoliation. Control measures include early detection and application of pesticides.
Mites are small pests that suck sap from the plant, and their infestation might result in yellowing and curling of leaves. Control measures include crop rotation and the application of acaricides.
