FIELD PRACTICE REPORT CARRIED OUT AT BISHOP STUART UNIVERSITY

FARM MBARARA

COMPILED

BY

TUMWIINE JASON

21/BSU/BAMD/2006

NOV2022 –FEB 2023

DECLARATION.
I Tumwiine Jason declare that this practical work report is my original work and has never
been submitted by anybody to any academic institution of higher learning for any award.

Signature………………………………….. Date……………………………………
TUMWIINE JASON

(student )

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APPROVAL.
This field practical of banana was carried out under my supervision on the university farm.

Signature………………………………… Date………………………………..

MR. AGABA JULIUS.

[Supervisor]

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DEDICATION
I dedicate this piece of work to my parents for their great contribution towards the completion of
this report plus my fellow friends .Also to my beloved Lecturer MR. AGABA JULIUS for the
piece of advice in the field practical.

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ACNKOWLEDGEMENT.
My first gratitude goes to my relatives for their financial assistance such as my uncle who gave
me two reams of papers for collecting information, may the Lord reward you abundantly.
My second gratitude goes to my beloved lecturer Mr. Agaba Julius and the entire community of
Bishop Stuart University.

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Table of Contents
DECLARATION..............................................................................................................................................2
APPROVAL...................................................................................................................................................3
DEDICATION................................................................................................................................................4
ACNKOWLEDGEMENT.................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................7
1.1 Background...........................................................................................................................................7
1.2 Classification.........................................................................................................................................8
1.3 Taxonomy of the plant..........................................................................................................................8
1.4 Cultivation.............................................................................................................................................9
1.5 Uses/applications...............................................................................................................................10
1.5 .1Forage..............................................................................................................................................10
1.5 .2 Environment....................................................................................................................................10
1.5 .3 Ecology............................................................................................................................................10
1.6 Soil requirements................................................................................................................................11
1.6 .1Moisture...........................................................................................................................................11
1.6 .2 Temperature...................................................................................................................................11
1.6 .3 Light.................................................................................................................................................11
CHAPTER TWO : MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN PASTURE MANAGEMENT..............................................16
2.1Pasture establishment.........................................................................................................................16
2.2 weeding in the pasture.......................................................................................................................16
2.3 FENCING IN PASTURE..........................................................................................................................17
2.4 Watering.............................................................................................................................................18
2.5 Strengths.............................................................................................................................................18
2.6 ATTRIBUTES.........................................................................................................................................18
2.7 Limitations..........................................................................................................................................19

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CHAPTER ONE : INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Rhodes grass (chloris gayana) is a leafy perennial grass which grows to 30 to 150 cm in height.
Their roots have stolon’s and therefore spread easily in the field. 

The grass is extremely adapted to a wide range of ecological conditions and therefore grows in
many parts of the country. It can tolerate a wide range of soils. However it prefers well drained
fertile soil and an annual rainfall between 600 and 1100mm. the grass is not suited for very dry
areas or excessive moist conditions especially where the soils are not free draining. In UGANDA
Rhodes grass is common in medium dry lands. If well managed they give good pasture all year
round.

Rhodes grass has been used extensively for pasture improvement because its seeds being easily
available and being easy to establish and manage. Varieties in Uganda produce large bulk of
herbage which are good for grazing and hay making. They are readily eaten by livestock even
when they are mature although the nutritive value is very low at old age.

The grass is established at a seeding rate of 4 – 6 Kg per Ha. The seedbed should be fine and
compact because the seeds are very small. If the seedbed is rough seeds may land in low levels
and may fail to come up after germination. Compaction helps to ascertain that most levels of
planting are uniform and seeds do not go far deep.

Fertilizers are required moderately. For example during planting time it may be added at 40 –
60Kg of phosphate fertilizer per hectare. If the soil nitrogen is at reasonable levels then there
would be no need for nitrates. However nitrates can be applied during the second year after
grazing at 60 – 90 Kg per hectare. Time should be allowed to pass before grazing to avoid
nitrogen poisoning of cattle.

Yields on well managed Rhodes grass are around 5 – 8 ton/ha/year after the second year
although much higher yields can be obtained. The crude protein (CP) content varies with age and
nitrogen level in soil. If well managed about 7 – 11% can be obtained after the eighth week of
planting.

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1.2 Classification
Scientific name Chloris gayana  Kunth

Synonyms Chloris abyssinica Hochst. ex A. Rich.

Family: Poaceae (alt. Gramineae) subfamily: Chloridoideae tribe: Cynodonteae.

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

Chloris gayana

Preferred Common Name

Rhodes grass

Other Scientific Names

Chloris abyssinica Hochst. ex A.Rich.

Chloris glabrata Andersson

Chloris repens Hochst.

Eustachys gayana (Kunth) Mundy

1.3 Taxonomy of the plant

Domain - Eukaryota
Kingdom - Plantae
Phylum - Spermatophyta
Subphylum - Angiospermae
Class - Monocotyledonae
Order -Cyperales
Family -Poaceae
Genus - Chloris
Species -Chloris gayana

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1.4 Cultivation
Grow at altitudes from 600 to 2000 m above sea level. It does well in areas receiving
Climate rainfall of more than 250 mm annually and also persists well under drought
conditions.

It grows in a wide range of soil conditions but performs best in loamy, fertile soils. It
Soils
does not do well in alkaline or very acid soils.

Site It is best grown in grazed plots or shut-up for hay making.

Plough and harrow at least once to make a fine seedbed. Harrow after the weeds
Preparatio
have emerged to reduce competition during establishment. Sow immediately after
n
harrowing.

Sowing it is usually established from seed but root splits can also be used. Te best
time to sow where there are two rainy seasons is during the short rains. Where there
is one rainy season, plant from early to mid rains. Sow when the soil is loose (dry).
Sowing
Make furrows 25 cm apart using a peg. Drill the seeds in the furrows, at a seed rate
of 12 kg per hectare. Cover the seeds lightly, for example by pulling light tree
branches over the furrows.

For high productivity, apply nitrogen fertilizers preferably during heavy rains at the
Fertilizer
rate of 100 kg per hectare.

Make sure the plot is weed-free during the initial period of establishment. Remove
Weeding
weeds between the rows using a hand hoe.

No diseases of importance but common pests such as army worms may attack the
Pests
pastures.

Start harvesting or grazing soon after flowering. If cutting, cut close to the ground to
stimulate spreading. Leave to re-grow again until next flowering. When well
Harvesting
managed, Rhodes grass can yield an average of 8 tones dry matter per hectare per
year.

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 Grazing is the most common method of feeding Rhodes grass although some
farmers use it for
cut-and-carry. Tends to decrease in abundance on over-grazed pasture due to its high
Feeding palatability.
Rhodes grass is very good for hay making.
It can also be used for seed production; up to 350 kg seed per hectare can be
harvested.

1.5 Uses/applications
1.5 .1Forage
Used as permanent or annual forage in grass-legume or grass+N pastures in dryland and irrigated
permanent systems. Can also be undersown into maize. Makes good hay if cut at or just before
flowering. Generally not suitable for silage. Provides fair standover roughage when mature,
better than Cenchrus ciliaris and Megathyrsus maximus due to its greater cold resistance and
lower loss of dry leaves.

1.5 .2 Environment
In some cultivation systems, it is used as a short- to medium-term pasture ley to restore soil
structure, improve organic matter levels, and reduce nematode numbers. Develops good ground
cover and effectively controls erosion once established (needs regular defoliation to stimulate
stolon development to maintain cover). Also effectively suppresses woody regrowth provided
trees and shrubs are not well established prior to planting the grass.

1.5 .3 Ecology
Found in open woodland and grassland, riverine and lake margins, and seasonally waterlogged
plains, on a wide range of soils.

1.6 Soil requirements

While preferring well-structured loams and clays of volcanic origin, C. gayana grows on most
well drained soils, except very heavy clays, provided fertility is adequate. Very tolerant of high
soil Na levels (conductivity >10 dS/m), particularly as HCO3- and SO4- -, but less so as Cl- or

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NO3-. Also tolerant of high Li+ but not Mg++. More tolerant of high than low pH, growing
best in soils with pH between about 5.5 and 7.5, but will grow down to pH 4.5 (if available
aluminum and manganese levels are low) and up to pH 10.

1.6 .1Moisture
Rainfall in its natural range varies from about 500 to 1,500 mm/yr. In cultivation, it is usually
planted in areas with rainfall from 700 to 1,200 mm, but has been successful at lower annual
averages. It does not thrive in areas with more than 1,800 mm rainfall. It is popular in irrigated
pastures, particularly where irrigation water may be too saline for other species. Drought
tolerance is less than that of Cenchrus ciliaris and Megathyrsus maximus, but can still survive in
areas with a 6-month dry season, by virtue of a root system that can extract water to a depth of
>4 m. Tolerates seasonal waterlogging, and up to 15 days' flooding.

1.6 .2 Temperature
Occurs from near sea level to 2,000 m in the tropics, and sea level to >1,000 m asl in the
subtropics, and from near the equator to 34.5º S. This equates to a range in average annual
temperatures from about 16.5 ºC to >26 ºC. This wide geographical and thermal distribution is
probably reflected in the variable reports in the literature for optimum growing temperatures,
ranging from 20 to 37 ºC, with extremes of 5 º and 50 ºC. Sufficient to say that within the
germplasm available, there are types that can produce significant growth at relatively low
temperatures, even showing significant frost tolerance, and types that can grow at high
temperatures. Low night temperatures in controlled environments reduced seed set in 'Callide'
and 'Pioneer'.

1.6 .3 Light
Generally poor shade tolerance.

Reproductive development

Flowering behaviour varies with ploidy level. The diploids (2n = 20) are generally insensitive to
daylength and flower throughout the growing season. The tetraploids largely respond to
shortening daylength, and although a few inflorescences are produced throughout the growing
season, there is a flush of flowering when daylength falls below 12 hours.

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Establishment

Can be propagated vegetatively or from seed. Planting material can be obtained by breaking up
larger clumps into pieces, or using the small tussocks along the stolons that establish readily.
Either is planted on about a 1 m grid. A more rapid cover can generally be obtained by planting
from seed, usually at sowing rates of 0.5‒1 kg/ha. Seed of the diploids has little or no post-
harvest dormancy, while seed of the tetraploids may not reach maximum germination for 3‒6
months (sometimes up to 18 months) after harvest. Seed is best sown on the surface (definitely
no deeper than 2 cm) of a well-prepared seedbed, followed by rolling. The fluffy seed tends to
"ball" or bridge when planting. For broadcasting, seed is best mixed with sawdust or sand; for
drilling, it flows more readily if pelleted. Seed germinates in 1‒7 days, and seedlings develop
rapidly.

Fertilizer

Although Chloris gayana can survive on infertile soil, it is very unproductive, and may
eventually die out, particularly if grazed regularly. Responds to phosphorus in poorer soils, and
gives a linear yield and crude protein response of up to 300 kg/ha of nitrogen if other nutrients
are adequately supplied. Split applications, each of 50‒100 kg/ha N, are normally used when
economically feasible.

Compatibility (with other species)

Grows well with temperate and tropical legumes, by virtue of its open stoloniferous ground
cover.

Companion species

Grasses: Cenchrus ciliaris, lower growing Megathyrsus maximus cultivars (e.g. Petrie, Gatton),
Setaria sphacelata.

Legumes: Centrosema molle, Clitoria ternatea, Desmodium uncinatum, Neonotonia wightii,

Listia bainesii, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Medicago sativa, Stylosanthes guianensis,
Trifolium repens.

Pests and diseases

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While the following fungi and nematodes have been isolated from the grass, they rarely have any
economic impact.

Fungi: Aspergillus flavus, Cerebella andropogonis, Cladosporium sp., Claviceps sp.,

Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Cochliobolus chrolidis (leaf blight) Drechslera australiensis
(drechslera leaf spot), Fusarium equiseti, F. gramineum (smut), F. oxysporum,
Helminthosporium carbonum, Himaydis sp., Nigrospora sphaerica, Puccinia chlorides, Pythium
aphanidermatum, Rhizoctonia solani (summer blight), Tolyposporium chlorides, Trichoderma
sp., and Uromyces kenyensis.

Nematodes: Helicotylenchus dihystera, H. nannus, H. pseudorobustus, H. cavenessi,

Hemicycliphora truncata, Hoplolaimus pararobustus, Meliodogyne acronea, M. incognita acrita,
M. javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform nematode),
Scutellonema clathricaudatum, Trichodorus minor, Tylenchus spiralis, Xiphinema elongatum, X.
ifacolum. 'Katambora' and 'Nemkat' are resistant to Rotylenchulus reniformis, and are used in
pasture leys to reduce nematode populations in preparation for succeeding crops.

Insect pests: Include fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), larvae of Mocis latipes, (both
Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), the lesser corn-stalk borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus), Rhodes grass
scale or Rhodes grass mealybug (Antonina graminis), chinch bugs (Blissus spp. Hemiptera:
Lygaeidae) and the two-lined spittle bug (Prosapia bicincta Homoptera: Cercopidae). Some of
these can severely damage stands if conditions are suitable. Chloris striate mosaic virus, which
may also attack Ixophorus unisetus, Dactylis glomerata, Triticum spp., Avena sativa, Hordeum
vulgare, and Zea mays is transmitted by Nesoclutha (obscura) pallida (Cicadellidae), and may be
carried in the seed. The angiosperms, Striga lutea and S. asiatica, parasitise Chloris gayana.

Ability to spread

Spreads vegetatively by "looping" stolons and by seed that is readily carried by wind or by
adhering to animal fur. Some varieties are more strongly stoloniferous than others. It is widely
naturalized, found on roadsides and other areas of disturbance throughout the tropics and
subtropics.

Weed potential

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Chloris gayana invades disturbed ground and can be a weed of cultivation. However, it usually
dies out after 4‒5 years if not further disturbed or fertilized, and rarely invades natural areas.

Feeding value

Nutritive value

Crude protein levels vary with age of material and level of available nitrogen, and may range
from 17% on a (DM basis) in very young leaf, to 3% in old leaves e.g. 'Callide' yielded 6 t/ha
(52% leaf, 9% CP) cut at 7 weeks, 11 t (28% leaf, 5% CP) at 13 weeks, 12 t (30% leaf, 3% CP)
at 22 weeks and 14 t (20% leaf, 3% CP) at 27 weeks. Phosphorus levels in the DM also vary
with age of material and available soil phosphorus, and may range from 0.4% in young growth to
0.1% in older material. Similarly, IVDMD varies from 40-80%. Sodium levels vary from 300-
3,100 ppm, depending on variety.

Palatability/acceptability

Young growth is very palatable, but after the plants have seeded they are less attractive.
Tetraploids are generally more readily eaten than diploid varieties, particularly when mature.

Toxicity

No record of toxicity. Levels of oxalate in the DM are low, making this an ideal species for horse
pastures, although there are some suspicions that it may cause skin troubles. If indeed it does,
this is not a common problem.

Dry matter

DM yields generally range from about (2‒) 10‒25 t/ha, depending on variety, soil fertility,
environmental conditions, and cutting frequency. Yields in the second year may be double those
of the establishment year, but this also depends on management and environmental conditions.
Yields of 35‒60 t/ha DM are reported, but these are not the norm.

Animal production

Can carry about 1‒4 beasts/ha depending on pasture productivity. Annual liveweight gains of up
to 160 kg/head and 850 kg/ha are achievable. Production declines without a vigorous legume or
the use of fertilizer nitrogen.

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Genetics/breeding

x = 10 or 20. 2 n = 20, 30, 40. Primarily cross-pollinating, with only 1‒4% self-compatibility.
This can lead to "genetic drift" in seed crops.

Seed production

With the largely day length insensitive diploids, up to 3 crops per year are possible, depending
on growing conditions. With the tetraploids, 2 crops per year are possible, but the early season
crop is generally fairly light and may not be economically feasible. All standing material is
cleaned off to 10 cm stubble about 2 months prior to flowering, and the area fertilized with 50
kg/ha N on fertile soils, or 100‒150 kg/ha N on infertile soils. Seed matures 23-‒5 days after
flowering. Mechanically harvested seed can contain a fair proportion of straw. Hand picking is
satisfactory for small areas, and this seed needs minimal cleaning. The diploid cultivars,
'Pioneer' and 'Katambora', produce more florets/year and higher seed set than the tetraploids,
'Callide' and 'Samford'. Potential seed yield for 'Callide' is about 850 kg/ha. Mechanically
harvested yields of 100‒200 (‒300) kg/ha can be achieved from properly managed crops.
Mature seed may have some post-harvest dormancy (see "Establishment"), and should remain
viable for up to 4 years depending on environmental conditions (best at low humidity, low
temperature).

Herbicide effects

Susceptible to pre-emergence atrazine. Even when mature, it is readily controlled with the
selective grass herbicide, haloxyfop. Weakened, but not killed by glyphosate at normal rates.

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CHAPTER TWO : MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN PASTURE
MANAGEMENT
2.1Pasture establishment
This is an expensive venture, and it is important to get the forage growing as quickly and
vigorously as possible. In addition to good soil conditions, weed management is necessary to
encourage rapid forage growth. This publication details techniques for chemical weed control
prior to and during pasture establishment and is intended for county Extension faculty as well as
owners and managers of grazing lands.

The soil is full of weed seeds, commonly referred to as a soil seed bank. In pastures that need
renovation, weed control during and after pasture establishment will likely be necessary. This is
true even for pastures that were relatively weed-free prior to renovation.

The first step in pasture renovation includes removing the existing vegetation. In most cases, 3–4
qt/acre of glyphosate will kill all living plant material, except for woody species. For some
species, such as palmetto, more drastic measures are necessary. Once the plant material is dead,
it will be necessary to till the pasture repeatedly, first with a moldboard plow, followed by
repeated disking and/or rotovating. Repeated tillage is necessary to prepare a clean, weed-free
seed bed prior to planting. If tillage applications are spaced 2–3 weeks apart, many weeds will
germinate from seed, then be destroyed by subsequent tillage operations. This repeated tillage
will help to deplete the soil seed bank.

2.2 weeding in the pasture

Most weeds will emerge shortly after the grass has been planted. Therefore, time is of the
essence for weed control operations. In most cases, sedges tend to be the most problematic, but
broadleaf weeds can quickly become established as well.

During the period of pasture management at the farm weeds were hoed, pulled, or cut before they
set seed and spread.

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2.3 FENCING IN PASTURE
Setting posts correctly is one of the most important factors in fence strength. The first
consideration is setting the post at the correct depth. The proper depth depends on the diameter
of the post and soil type. Generally, in medium to heavy clay soils, a post should be placed at a
depth equal to ten times its diameter. In sandier soils, the depth should be fifteen times the
diameter. These depths ensure that the post would break before it would uproot. If posts are too
short or it is impossible to dig a deep enough hole, a “foot” was used to anchor the post.

In addition to keeping livestock out of the neighboring pastures and off the pasture ,fencing is a
key component of good grazing management.

Fencing allows control over both the movement of livestock and the productivity, quality, and
utilization of forage crops. Low-cost, semi-permanent fencing systems make controlling and
efficiently using pasture resources easier than ever.

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2.4 Watering
As dry spell approaches and the soil dries, forage plants become very weak because of heavy
sunshine and weak root system of the pasture that had not grown to resist this heave sunshine.
This helped the plant to continue growing even in the presence of heavy sunshine.

2.5 Strengths
 Widely adapted.
 Easily established.
 Early nutritive value.
 High salt tolerance.
 Tolerant of heavy grazing.
 Few pests or diseases of economic importance.
 Some varieties can suppress nematodes (e.g. cv. Katambora).
 Good seed production.

2.6 ATTRIBUTES
 Can be used as a permanent pasture for grazing
 Not suitable for silage
 Tolerant to either cutting or grazing
 Rhodes grass can be planted from seeds or propagated vegetatively

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  Makes good quality hay when cut just before flowering

2.7 Limitations
 Short season of nutritive peak in many cultivars.
 Fluffy seed difficult to sow.
 Not adapted to acid, infertile soils.
 Plants require high fertility to persist.
 Low shade tolerance.

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