Biomass production and nutrient status of three tropical range grass species

The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield of soybean cultivar M-8766 in consortium with Brachiaria brizantha. BRS Piata and Brachiaria ruziziensis at different densities and sowing dates. The experimental design was randomized blocks with treatments arranged in a factorial 2 x 2 x 3 with four replications. Used as factors grass species (Brachiaria brizantha Piata and Brachiaria ruziziensis BRS) intercropped with soybean M-8766, sowing dates (12 and 24 days after soybean emergence) and three seeding rates (0, 5, 10 kg ha-1 of seed). At 71 days after soybean emergence were evaluated plant height, stem diameter, dry mass of leaves, stems and shoots, and 4 months after sowing determined the weight of 100 grains and soybean yield. The results showed that when seeded at a density of 10 kg ha-1 at 12 and 24 DAE soy, Brachiaria brizantha. BRS Piata caused reduction in yield in the order of 6.71% and 3.03% respectively, while the Brachiaria ruziziensis was one that caused a greater reduction in productivity in the order of 13.42 and 16.23%, respectively, of these values expression when considering the price of soybean sack. B. ruziziensis expressed less competitive with soybean. However, the large biomass production of this grass provides deployment system till the next harvest.

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BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND OIL YIELD OF LEMONGRASS IN PUNALUR FOREST DIVISION, KERALA, INDIA.

Kongunadu Research Journal ◽

10.26524/krj75 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 102-104

Author(s):

Nisha Raj S ◽

Sekaran S ◽

Paulsamy S

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Statistical Processing ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Calcium Content ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Management Plan ◽

Oil Yield ◽

Key Factor ◽

Forest Division ◽

Oil Concentration

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) cultivation and oil distillation from its biomass are some of the important sources of earning for the rural people and tribal communities of sourthern Western Ghats in certain specific localities. Punalur Forest Division of Kerala is one such region where some local public involved in these practices. However, no data are available on the biomass production and oil yield of lemongrass for this region. Therefore, the present study has been carried out in this line. The results of the study reports that annual biomass production was greater (9250kg/ha/yr) and comparable to that of theother lemongrass cultivated areas. Similarly, the oil yield was also higher (46.7kg/ha/yr) and the concentration of oil varied significantly across the harvesting times (0.43-0.63%). The statistical processing of data elucidates that soil pH and calcium content were having significant positive correlation to lemongrassbiomass production. Oil concentration in the biomass was negatively correlated to relative humidity. Therefore, soil nutrient status can be considered as a key factor while preparing the management plan for lemongrass cultivation in Punalur Forest Division

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The effect of long-term mowing and ungulate exclusion on grass species composition and soil nutrient status on the Athi-Kapiti plains, central Kenya

African Journal of Range and Forage Science ◽

10.2989/10220119909485720 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 16 (2-3) ◽

pp. 62-70 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

D. Berliner ◽

J. Kioko

Keyword(s):

Species Composition ◽

Soil Nutrient ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Grass Species ◽

Soil Nutrient Status ◽

Central Kenya

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Seasonal variation of soluble carbohydrates and starch in Echinolaena inflexa, a native grass species from the Brazilian savanna, and in the invasive grass Melinis minutiflora

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/s1519-69842010000200023 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 70 (2) ◽

pp. 395-404 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A. Souza ◽

CZ. Sandrin ◽

MFA. Calió ◽

ST. Meirelles ◽

VR. Pivello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biomass Production ◽

Growth Cycle ◽

Water Soluble ◽

Brazilian Savanna ◽

Grass Species ◽

Soluble Carbohydrates ◽

Above Ground Biomass ◽

Invasive Grass ◽

Melinis Minutiflora ◽

Ground Biomass

Echinolaena inflexa (Poir.) Chase is an abundant C3 grass species with high biomass production in the Brazilian savanna (cerrado); Melinis minutiflora Beauv. is an African C4 forage grass widespread in cerrado and probably displacing some native herbaceous species. In the present work, we analysed seasonally the content and composition of soluble carbohydrates, the starch amounts and the above-ground biomass (phytomass) of E. inflexa and M. minutiflora plants harvested in two transects at 5 and 130 m from the border in a restrict area of cerrado at the Biological Reserve and Experimental Station of Mogi-Guaçu (SP, Brazil). Results showed that water soluble carbohydrates and starch amounts from the shoots of both species varied according to the time of the year, whilst in the underground organs, variations were observed mainly in relation to the transects. Marked differences in the pattern of the above-ground biomass production between these two grasses relative to their location in the Reserve were also observed, with two peaks of the invasive species (July and January) at the Reserve border. The differences in carbohydrate accumulation, partitioning and composition of individual sugars concerning time of the year and location in the Reserve were more related to the annual growth cycle of both grasses and possibly to specific physiological responses of M. minutiflora to disturbed environments in the Reserve border.

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Effects of management on soil fertility under pasture. 1. Influence of experimental grazing and fertilizer systems on growth, composition and nutrient status of the pasture

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9740470 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 14 (69) ◽

pp. 470 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

JR Simpson ◽

SM Bromfield ◽

GT McKinney

Keyword(s):

Nitrogen Availability ◽

Subterranean Clover ◽

Nutrient Status ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Grass Species ◽

Botanical Composition ◽

Annual Grass ◽

Growth And Nutrition ◽

Animal Excreta ◽

Annual Grasses

Pasture plots containing phalaris, subterranean clover and annual grass species were fertilized annually at suboptimal (P1), adequate (P2) or a 'luxury' rate (P3) of superphosphate. A fourth treatment combined rate P3 with fertilizer nitrogen (P3N). Each pasture was grazed during five years at a high (H) or a low (L) grazing pressure in such a way that there was little feed left on the H plots and a large amount on the L plots at the end of summer. In this way eight pasture situations were created which differed in botanical composition, nutrient availability, herbage production and the amount of nutrients returned as animal excreta. The plots were used to investigate the effects of fertilizer input and grazing pressure on the growth and nutrition of the different pasture components. Protected microplots during the fourth and fifth years showed that the P1 plots remained responsive to phosphate. The yields of annual grasses on the microplots were increased by H treatment but the proportion of phalaris to annual grasses was reduced, particularly at P1. Clover yields and total pasture yields were affected by previous grazing pressure only in the drier fourth year. At high levels of superphosphate and grazing (P3H), the greater grass-clover ratio and higher grass nitrogen uptake indicated greater nitrogen availability in this treatment.

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