Origin and Common Names
Urochloa paniculata Benth. belongs to the family Poaceae and is native to Africa. It is commonly known as "Guinea grass", "Panicum grass", and "Buffel grass".
Appearance
Urochloa paniculata Benth. is a perennial grass that grows up to 1-2 meters tall. Its leaves are flat and lance-shaped, with a rough surface texture, and can grow up to 50 cm long and 2 cm wide. The stem of the plant is usually green, purple, or reddish at the base, while the inflorescences are in the form of spike-like panicles that can be up to 40 cm long.
Uses
The grass has several uses, including as a forage plant for livestock and wildlife. It is drought-tolerant, grows well in poor soils, and can provide essential nutrients that are necessary for animal growth and development. In addition, it can be used for soil conservation and erosion control, and as a cover crop to suppress weeds. Furthermore, Urochloa paniculata Benth. has medicinal properties and has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as diarrhea, fever, and stomachache.
Growth Conditions of Urochloa paniculata Benth.
Urochloa paniculata Benth. is a warm-season tropical grass known for its drought tolerance, high yield, and good forage quality. The grass, also known as Panico Panic, Guinea Panic, and Buffelgrass, grows well in a range of conditions.
Light Requirements
Urochloa paniculata Benth. performs best in full sunlight. Inadequate light can lead to weak growth and reduced yield. Therefore, it is ideal to plant the grass in areas with no shade or where sunlight is available for at least six hours a day.
Temperature Requirements
The ideal temperature range for growing Urochloa paniculata Benth. is between 20 to 35°C. The grass can grow in a wide range of temperatures, ranging from 10 to 40°C. However, growth is compromised at temperatures below 15°C.
Soil Requirements
Urochloa paniculata Benth. is well adapted to different soil types. The grass can grow in light sandy soils, heavy clay soils, and highly acidic soil. The ideal pH range for the optimal growth of the grass is between 5.5 and 7.5.
However, the grass is known to tolerate a pH as low as 4.8. Urochloa paniculata Benth. requires a well-drained soil with good water holding capacity for best growth.
Cultivation Methods for Urochloa Paniculata Benth.
The Urochloa Paniculata Benth. requires well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5 for optimal growth. It prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The plant is grown from seed or vegetative propagation.
When using seeds, they should be sown at a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm, and the seedbed should be well-prepared with fine tilth and without any clods. Germination usually takes 7 to 10 days. After germination, the seedlings should be thinned to ensure proper spacing.
For vegetative propagation, stem cuttings of about 10 to 15 cm long should be used. The cuttings should be planted in a prepared seedbed with a spacing of 30 cm x 30 cm between the plants and rows.
Watering Needs for Urochloa Paniculata Benth.
Urochloa Paniculata Benth. requires sufficient moisture to grow well. It needs frequent watering, especially during the dry season. The watering frequency should depend on the soil type and climate of the planting site.
The plant should be watered once or twice a week if the weather is dry. Watering should be done early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid water loss due to evaporation.
Fertilization for Urochloa Paniculata Benth.
Urochloa Paniculata Benth. requires regular application of fertilizers for proper growth and development. The amount and type of fertilizers used should depend on the soil fertility levels and the growth stage of the plant.
The plant requires nitrogen-rich fertilizers during the early stages of growth and phosphorous-rich fertilizers during the mid to late stages of growth. A combination of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium fertilizers is recommended for optimal growth and development.
Pruning for Urochloa Paniculata Benth.
Urochloa Paniculata Benth. requires regular pruning of the stems and leaves to promote bushy growth and increase the forage yield. The pruning frequency and intensity should depend on the growth rate of the plant and the intended use for the forage.
The plant should be pruned to a height of about 20 to 30 cm during the early stages of growth and 40 to 50 cm during the mid to late stages of growth. The pruned materials can be used as forage for livestock or for composting to enrich the soil.
Propagation of Urochloa paniculata Benth.
Urochloa paniculata Benth. can be propagated through both seeds and vegetative methods.
Propagation through Seeds
The seeds of Urochloa paniculata Benth. require warm temperatures and sufficient moisture to germinate. The best time to sow the seeds is during the rainy season. The seeds can be directly sowed in rows or broadcasted in a prepared seedbed and covered with a thin layer of soil.
Germination occurs within 10 to 14 days, and the seedlings can be transplanted after they have reached a height of 5-6 cm.
Propagation through Vegetative Methods
The vegetative methods for propagation of Urochloa paniculata Benth. include stem cuttings and division.
Stem cuttings should be taken from the mature and healthy plants during the early morning hours. The cutting should be 15-20 cm long, and the leaves should be removed from the lower part of the stem. The cutting can be directly planted in the soil or in a prepared potting mix. The cutting should be kept moist and shaded until it develops roots and new shoots.
Division is another vegetative method in which the mature clumps of Urochloa paniculata Benth. are divided into smaller sections. Each section should have at least one strong shoot and a well-developed root system. The divided sections can be directly planted in the soil or in a prepared potting mix.
Propagation through vegetative methods is faster and can produce plants with similar genetic characteristics as the parent plant.
Disease and Pest Management for Urochloa Paniculata Benth.
Urochloa paniculata Benth. is one of the predominant forage grasses utilized for feed and forage in tropical regions. As with any crop, it is susceptible to pests, diseases, and certain environmental factors that negatively impact its productivity. Therefore, implementing effective disease and pest management practices are essential for maintaining profitable production.
Common diseases
Rust: Rust is among the most significant diseases that attack Urochloa paniculata Benth. Rust fungal spores are disseminated via wind, leading to orange-brown pustules or spots on the leaves, covering the stem, panicle, and branching points. The disease may cause significant damage to yield and forage quality. As a prevention measure, a combination of cultural practices, such as crop rotation, planting disease-free seeds, and the use of resistant varieties, may be employed to ensure rust doesn't spread. If infection is already in place, application of fungicides such as triadimefon, triadimenol, and propiconazole at the early stages can prevent further spread of the disease.
Melon aphid: This pest is known to attack Urochloa paniculata Benth. and other grass species by sucking sap from the plant's foliage, causing stunted growth and deformed leaves, which reduces the plant's productivity. The application of biocontrol agents such as ladybird beetles and parasitic wasps has been found to effectively control melon aphids. In addition, chemical control methods involving the active ingredients thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, and imidacloprid+thiodicarb may be employed.
Common pests
Spittlebug: Spittlebugs are major pests of Urochloa paniculata Benth. that feed on the plant's shoots and cause the expulsion of significant amounts of saliva that cover the plant's foliage. The infestation causes a decrease in dry matter yield and increases the chances of the development of fungi disease, causing the eventual death of the plant. The use of neem-based products such as neem oil and extract during the budding and flowering stage of the plant has been found to be effective against spittlebugs.
Leafhoppers: Leafhoppers spread the grassy shoot of Urochloa paniculata Benth. and other grass species, which then leads to a decline in the quality of the forage and yield loss. Insecticides from a group of chemicals known as pyrethroids, such as lambda-cyhalothrin and cypermethrin, may be used at the initial stages of plant growth to control leafhoppers effectively.
Conclusion
The key to effective disease and pest control is the development and implementation of an integrated pest management system that includes a combination of cultural, chemical, and biological practices. Prevention is always the best course of action, and all intervention measures must be used judiciously and in conformity with regulatory standards.
