The Productivity and Nutritive Value of Imperata cylindrica (L) Beauv. in the Thai Highlands

Abstract

The rate of dry matter production after the annual pre-wet season burning, the rate of regrowth after cutting at three times during the year and the nitrogen content, phosphorus content and in vitro digestibility of Imperata cylindrica were studied in highlands of north Thailand over a one-year period. Dry matter production was slower than that recorded in more tropical regions and nitrogen content and digestibility correspondingly remained higher for longer. It is suggested that the slower growth rates recorded in this environment, permitted Imperata to remain a useful forage for a longer period than is usually considered possible for this species.