Dichanthium aristatum

Dichanthium aristatum. A herbaceous plant species ^[1] belonging to the Poaceae family ^[2] . Its cultivation tolerates prolonged droughts and humid periods, it is considered as the species with virtue in the high fertility in its seeds .

Summary

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• 1 Taxonomy
  • 1 Scientific name
    • 1.1 Authors
  • 2 Synonymy
• 2 Origin
  • 1 Etymology
  • 2 Common names in English
• 3 Features
  • 1 Potential uses
  • 2 Adaptation
  • 3 Handling and problems
  • 4 Seed production
  • 5 Animal productivity
• 4 Keywords
• 5 References
• 6 Source

Taxonomy

Scientific name

• Dichanthium aristatum ^[3]

Authors

• Charles Edward Hubbard ^[4]

Synonymy

• Massula latifolia (L.) Dulac
• Andropogon aristatus Poir.
• Andropogon caricosus subsp. mollicomus (Kunth) Hack.
• Andropogon caricosus var. mollicomus (Kunth) Hack.
• Andropogon incurvatus J.Koenig ex Trin.
• Andropogon koenigii Raeusch.
• Andropogon mollicomus Kunth
• Andropogon pubescens Willd. ex Kunth
• Dichanthium caricosum var. mollicomum (Hack.) Haines
• Diplasanthum lanosum Dev.
• Lepeocercis digitata Nees
• Lepeocercis mollicoma (Kunth) Nees
• Lepeocercis mollissima Nees ex Baker ^[5]

Origin

Native to Africa , in Asia temperate, tropical Asia, Australasia, the Pacific , North America , South America .

Etymology

The name of the genus derives from the Greek word for said (two) and anthos (flower), alluding to two types of spikelets (male or neutral, compared to hermaphrodites) that are found in different parts of an inflorescence.

Common names in English

Angleton bluestem

features

Herbaceous plant that has the appearance or some property of grass . Its cultivation tolerates prolonged droughts and humid periods , it is considered as the species with virtue in the high fertility in its seeds , so their production is very high, it develops very well within the weed. Perennial herbaceous plant, erect (height 60 – 120 cm), normally forms clusters ^[6] , which is the set of stems, flowers or spikes that arise from the same foot of a plant, but with high planting densities it can form grass. The leaves are lanceolate.

• Vegetative cycle: Perennial, persistent
• PH adaptation: 4.0 – 8.0
• Soil fertility: Medium to high
• Drainage: Good drainage
• masl: 0 – 1400 m
• Precipitation :> 850
• Sowing density: 3 – 4 kg / ha, scarified
• Sowing depth: 1 – 2 cm.
• Nutritive value: Protein 7 – 9%, digestibility 50 – 57%
• Utilization: Grazing, cutting and hauling (hay)

It has an annual or perennial habit. With absent or short rhizomes ^[7] . Erect stems or genicularly ascending, or decumbent, from low to high: 10-150 cm. Ribbed internodes. Lateral tillers absent, or small, or broad. Ligules ^[8] with eciliated membranes. Leaf-blade base with a short petiole ; leaves lanceolate, with cartilaginous edges. The inflorescence is simple or compound; terminal racemose, or terminal and axillary. The fruit is a cariopse with attached pericarp; oblong or ellipsoid. The embryo is 0.5 the length of the cariopse. The hilum is pointed.

Potential uses

Its potential use is given by the grazing activity of those who are dedicated to driving cattle to the field and taking care of them while they graze. The great production of seed identifies it for the use of the same in its reproduction . Among the special considerations of this herbaceous plant is its tolerance to drought , humidity and trampling.

Adaptation

It has a wide range of adaptation to climate and soil . It grows very well in soils of medium fertility , with a wide range of pH and texture. Tolerates prolonged droughts and wet periods. It is considered invasive by virtue of the high fertility of its seed . Good persistence under grazing and competes with weeds and associates well with legumes. 3 – 4 kg of seed / ha are used.

Handling and problems

Responds well to high fertilization levels. Management under rotational grazing ^[9] is recommended , it is drought resistant and is used for bale production. Perennial grass, with flat, hairy leaves and flowers grouped in a whitish spike . It has a low to medium nutritional value, due to early flowering, has a low leaf / stem ratio and quickly loses its quality.

Seed production

It produces a lot of high-quality seed, flowering begins at the end of the rains, and vegetative propagation is easy.

Animal productivity

Annual production varies between 8 – 12 t DM / ha and supports high loads under rotation management. Protein contents in well managed pastures are between 7 – 9% and digestibility between 50 – 57%. The production of Dichanthium aristatum is very useful in rotational grazing, its establishment is fast since it responds to high fertility levels and it is used to make bales of hay . Its protein value is dependent on the management in well cultivated meadows, flowering begins at the end of the rains and vegetative propagation is easy.

Keywords

1. go back up↑ HerbaceousThat has the aspect or some property of the grass.
2. go back up^ Poaceae: A genus of wild grass plants.
3. go back up^Scientific name of Angleton. Accessed July 17, 2013.Available at: The plantlist
4. go back up^Angleton Authors. Accessed July 17, 2013.Available at: The plantlist
5. go back up^Synonymy of Angleton. Accessed July 17, 2013.Available at: The plantlist
6. go back up↑ Clusters: Set of stems , flowers or spikes that are born from the same foot of a plant.
7. go back up↑ Rhizomes: horizontal and underground stem.
8. go back up↑ Ligules: Part of the corolla of a flower that has a tongue shape.
9. go back up↑ Shepherding: Activity of those who are dedicated to driving cattle to the field and taking care of them while they graze.