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Publication Date

1977

Description

Six planting methods were studied for the establishment of guinea grass on natural pas­tures (Andropogonea) minimizing mechanical soil labour and burning. Methods essayed were: asexual plant cuttings and/or botanical seeds, planted in furrows, harrowing or not before furrowing, and the latter type of seeds broadcast on soils already ploughed and har­rowed or only harrowed. The best establish­ment was obtained when seed.s were broadcast, guinea grass replacing natural pasture species in 78 to 94 % when the soil was only harrowed and when ploughed + harrowed before sow­ing, respectively. Dry matter yields of broad­cast guinea ranged from 5 to 6 t/ha five months after sowing surpassing (P < 0.01) the remain­ing treatments. Planting in furrows after har­rowing increased yield, plant height, tillering, and panicle production during the early estab­lishment, improving also botanical composi­tion, and plant population after burning, when plants were one year old. Broadcasting botani­cal seeds seems to be a successful method for establishing guinea grass in 4 to 6 months which represents some one year saving in comparison to conventional planting methods.

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Effect of planting methods on the establishment of Panicum maximum Jacq. on natural pastures

Six planting methods were studied for the establishment of guinea grass on natural pas­tures (Andropogonea) minimizing mechanical soil labour and burning. Methods essayed were: asexual plant cuttings and/or botanical seeds, planted in furrows, harrowing or not before furrowing, and the latter type of seeds broadcast on soils already ploughed and har­rowed or only harrowed. The best establish­ment was obtained when seed.s were broadcast, guinea grass replacing natural pasture species in 78 to 94 % when the soil was only harrowed and when ploughed + harrowed before sow­ing, respectively. Dry matter yields of broad­cast guinea ranged from 5 to 6 t/ha five months after sowing surpassing (P < 0.01) the remain­ing treatments. Planting in furrows after har­rowing increased yield, plant height, tillering, and panicle production during the early estab­lishment, improving also botanical composi­tion, and plant population after burning, when plants were one year old. Broadcasting botani­cal seeds seems to be a successful method for establishing guinea grass in 4 to 6 months which represents some one year saving in comparison to conventional planting methods.