|
Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy |
 |
Gramineae
|
Author:L.’t Mannetje |
|
Slender panic grass (En). Indonesia: suket pring-pringan (Javanese). Malaysia: rumput pait, rumput rawa, rumput sarang buaya. Philippines: banig-usa, kawakawayanan (Tagalog), bariri-magwakat (Han.). Laos: chaax kh'aa. Thailand: ya-laman (central), ya-khuiphaikhon (western). Origin and geographic distribution O. nodosa occurs throughout South-East Asia and also in India, Burma and Sri Lanka. It has been introduced to Mexico and parts of Africa and Australia. Perennial grass with slender, decumbent or scandent culms, more than 1 m tall, rooting at basal nodes. Leaf-sheath shorter than the internode, ciliate at its margins; ligule a shallow fimbriate membrane, about 0.5 mm tall; leaf-blade narrowly lanceolate, up to 15 cm x 12 mm, glabrous or with scattered bulbous-based hairs. Inflorescence of paniculately arranged racemes, up to 30 cm long; lower branches often in a whorl; largest branches with ca. 10 spikelets, grading to solitary spikelets at apex of a branch; spikelets elliptical, 2 mm long, with glumes shorter than the spikelets; lower floret neuter, upper floret hermaphrodite. The inflorescence is extremely variable in number of branches and spacing of spikelets (Manidool 1992). Use O. nodosa is used as a forage for cattle and sheep, particularly in rubber and oil-palm plantations in South-East Asia, where it also can become a troublesome weed if ungrazed. Properties Nitrogen concentrations range typically between 1.1% and 1.3%, with DM digestibilities between 38% and 50%. DM intakes by sheep of 350-400 g/head per day have been measured in Thailand (Manidool 1989). Toxicity None has been reported. Ecology O. nodosa occurs from sea-level up to 600 m, mainly in forest, rubber, or oil-palm plantations. It also occurs in rice fields and disturbed habitats. Propagation and planting O. nodosa spreads naturally, but it can be planted by seeds or rooted culms. Growth and development In Peninsular Thailand it flowers from September to May. Performance It is usually grazed by cattle or sheep but can be cut and fed to animals. It is moderately palatable but not tolerant of heavy grazing or frequent cutting, so stocking rates should not exceed 1.5 beast/ha and cutting intervals of 8-9 weeks are preferred. Acceptable control of O. nodosa as a weed in plantations can be obtained with grazing sheep. There is no inhibition of rubber growth and only occasional damage caused by horned rams (Pillai et al. 1985). The viability of this form of biological weed control can lead to cost savings of 15-25% for the overall weed control programme (Arope et al. 1985). Links
References |