GUINEA GRASS

The botanical name of Guinea grass is “Megathyrsus maximus”. It is used as fodder for animals and is used to make hay. It is a tall perennial grass with average height of 3-4m. The leaf blades have fine tip and is long and have midrib which is 1 cm wide. It is found in tropical Africa, Yemen, Palestine and India. In India, Punjab is the major guinea grass growing state.  

It is grown in variety of soils ranging from moist, damp and fertile soils. It gives best result when grown under deep soil having well drainage system.  Avoid cultivation in heavy clay and water logged soils. Light irrigation is good for crop growth.

PGG 9: Sankar variety. It has thick stem, long leaf which are broad and light green in color and hairs are present on lower surface of the leaves. Mainly 2-3 harvestings is given. It gives an average yield of 180-200quintal/acre of green fodder. It is nourishing grass and contains 8-10% of protein content. The variety is suitable for sowing areas on height of 300-400m.

Other state varieties:

PGG 101: It is developed in 1991. The seeds of this variety are bold. Harvesting is mainly done in May-November month before flowering occurs. The variety gives 675 quintals/acre of green fodder. Mainly 5-7 harvestings is given.

PGG 518: It is developed in 1998. The leaves are longer and broader in shape of this variety. Harvesting is mainly done at boot stage. The variety gives 750 quintals/acre of green fodder. Mainly 5-7 harvestings is given.

PGG 19: Suitable for cultivation in Punjab. It gives average yield of 450-500 quintals/acre.

CO 2: This variety has 150-200cm height and leaf length is 65-75cm. The variety gives 1100quintal/acre/year. Mainly 7 harvestings is given.

CO (GG) 3: This variety has 210-240cm height and leaf length is 97-110cm. The variety gives 1400-1450quintal/acre/year of green fodder. Mainly 7 harvestings is given.
Hamil: Suitable for North, South and Central India. It gives average yield of 208quintal /acre.

PGG 1: Suitable for sowing in North west, Hills and central India. It gives average yield of 210quintal/acre.
 

For guinea grass plantation, it requires well prepared soil. To bring soil to good level, ploughing is done by mould board, then two harrowings and cross planking is done. Full seed bed preparation is must for planting guinea grass.
 

Soil is well prepared before sowing the seeds. Sow seeds on raised beds of convenient length and width. Seeds must be sown at a depth of 2cm. After sowing covered the seed bed with light soil.

Seedlings are sown at the spacing of 20 X 20cm in less fertile land. Before transplanting, add FYM@100gm at the sowing place. After 20-25 days of transplanting, add nitrogen@16kg/acre. After 50-60 days of transplanting, again add nitrogen@16 kg/acre.
 

Time of sowing
Seed are sown in the month of April – June.

Spacing
For good growth and development of crop, use spacing of 20 X 20cm.

Sowing Depth
Seeds are sown 2cm deep in the soil.

Method of sowing
Sowing can be done with help of plough/cultivator drawn Kera. Broadcasting method is also used for sowing.
 

Seed rate
For good yield, use the seed rate 8 kg per acre.

Seed treatment
For higher percentage germination, before sowing do seed treatment with concentrated sulphuric acid for 10 minutes. After chemical treatment use the seeds for sowing.

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Use fertilizer dose of Nitrogen@16kg/acre in the form of urea@35kg/acre and phosphorus@16kg/acre in the form of SSP@100kg/acre is given at the time of sowing. After each harvesting, Nitrogen dose@16kg/acre is added.
 

In summer, subsequent irrigations are necessary at an interval of a week and in the month of September-November irrigation is given at the interval of 10 days. First irrigation is given immediately after sowing and then second is given 4-6 days after first irrigation. In rainy season, irrigation is not required. Do not over water the fields as guinea grass can’t withstand in excessive water.

Regular weedings are necessary at regular interval of time to keep the field weed free. To control weeds, spraying of Atrataf 50 WP (Atrazine) @500g in 200 liter of water is given. Mulching is also an effective way to reduce soil temperature along with weed control.

• Pest and their control;
  

Grasshopper: Grasshopper destroys the plants by feeding themselves on fresh leaves.

Treatment: If infestation is observed spray of Carbaryl 50WP@400gm/acre is given.

• Disease and their control:
  

Leaf spot:  It affects the leaves of the plant as it makes spots on the plant and becomes blotch.
 
Treatment: If infestation of disease is observed in field, spray crop with Copper Oxychloride@300gm/200liter or Mancozeb@250 gm/200ltr, 3 to 4 times in every 15days interval.

Ergot: It is a fungal disease caused by Claviceps pupurea which infects the ear of the crop as a result the ear growth ceases.

Treatment: Fungicidal treatment is necessary to cure from this disease.

Smut: It mainly destroys the cereal and fodder crops. The mushroom like tumors or galls is seen on the leaves.

Treatment: Applying fungicides is useful to control the smut disease.

Fusarium wilt: It restricts the flow of water to foliage by entering through the roots. As a result the foliage turns yellow.

Treatment: To control the disease prepare the solution of Thiophanate Methyl@10gm and Urea each of 50gm/10litre of water and apply near base of plants.

Harvesting is mainly done after 50-60 days of sowing. First cut is mainly given in about 50 days and then second cutting is done after 30 days of first cutting. Harvesting is to be done above the ground level as it will increase crop yield.