Seed Production of \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria ruziziensis\u3c/em\u3e in India--Seed Collection Methods and Feed Opportunities

Abstract

Brachiaria ruziziensis is an important fodder crop suitable for high rainfall areas and soils with low nutrient supply. Though the area under B. ruziziensis cultivation in India is not properly documented, it is widely grown in Kerala (Stür et al. 1996) and in parts of Karnataka and Goa. By virtue of its shade tolerance and adaptability, B. ruziziensis have wide scope for adoption in other parts of India. In India, Brachiaria is mainly planted through root slips as availability of good quality filled seeds is very less. It is known that the proportion of filled to unfilled seeds depends on method of harvest and seed collection method (Hare et al., 2007). Appropriate method of harvest depends on growth habit, synchrony of crop development, standing seeds, fallen seeds, availability of labour and on previous experience. Hence a study was conducted for first time in India to standardise harvesting and seed collection method in B.ruziziensis

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