WEEDS Are

noreply@blogger.com (Muhammed Hisham) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 20:43:00 +0000

A weed may be defined as any plant or vegetation that interferes with the objectives of farming or forestry as growing crops,grazing animals or cultivating forest plantations.A weed may also be defined as any plant growing where it is not wanted.

For example, a plant may be valuable or useful in a garden, or on a farm or plantation - but if the same plant is growing where it reduces the value of agricultural produce or spoils aesthetic or environmental values, then it is considered a weed.

However, some plants are weeds regardless of where they grow Weeds are interfered with the utilization of land and water resources and adversely affect crop productivity of crops. In a comprehensive term, weed is a plant growing in field other than a croup.

Weeds been well adapted, competitive with crop plants, interfere with agricultural operation an ultimately reduce the economic produce. Some conclude that weeds caused more losses than other form of pests like insects’ diseases, nematodes, rodents etc. Some estimates put as high as 100% yield losses due to weeds.

Pasture

noreply@blogger.com (Muhammed Hisham) — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 20:19:00 +0000

Pasture grasses : ( Pasture grasses are natural or cultivated grasses that are normally used grazing)

1. Brachiaria brizantha ( Signal grass ,)

Vigorous, trailing, loosely tufted perennial grass with erect, semi-erect or prostate stoloniferous base.
The stolons, roots and branch readily at the nodes forming a dense turf.
Prostate ecotype is superior under local conditions.
Quick growing, aggressive and smother out weeds effectively.
Drought resistant
Grows successfully in the dry zone, mid country and low country wet zone.
Well drained areas are more suitable for planting.
Remarkable forage quality ( Cp 8-10%) responds well to added N fertilizer.
Withstand grazing or cutting
Seed set and viability of seeds are poor; Propagation is usually by cuttings
Average dry matter yield under dry conditions 10000-11000 kg/ha/yr.
The inflorescence is a panicle of 2-3 spike-like racemes attached at right angles to the rachis and spreading horizontally

2. Brachiaria milliformis ( Cori grass )

Vigorously growing semi-erect perennial grass but said to be annual capable of withstanding the shade, hairy grazing Brachiaria milliformis ( Cori grass)
yield is around 9000 kg/ha/yr, average CP content 8-10%and weed infestation
Most promising p2. Brachiaria milliformis ( Cori grass)
yield is around 9000 kg/ha/yr, average CP content 8-10%asture under coconut: does not compete much with coconut.
Average dry matter yield is around 9000 kg/ha/yr, average CP content 8-10%
Suitable for mixing with legumes such as Cento and Puero due to its compatibility.
Propagation by stolons or by seeds
Inflorescence is a panicle with 2-4 widely spread raceme.

3. Brachiaria ruziziensis ( Ruzi grass)

A robust and vigorous perennial grass, very shortly rhizomatous; tussocky to 90 cm high, adapted to warm tropics with annual rainfall of 1000 mm or more.
Grown on a range of soils but, best suited to well drained, fertile soils.
Feeding value is high ( CP 10-12%) and does not decline with age as other tropical grasses.
Annual dry matter yield 14000 kg/ha

4.Brachiaria mutica ( Para grass / Water grass)

A coarse and very vigorous perennial grass which roots at all nodes and branch at the nodes; has hallow stem.
Grows well in swampy, water logged areas; adapted to areas receiving high rainfall of 1000-2500mm or more.
Somewhat shade tolerant and can grow under coconut.
Mixes well with legumes
Propagation by cuttings.
CP content 6-9%
Leaf blades are flat, about 1cm wide at base tapering to a point and from a few inches to over 30cm in length, hairy.
May become a pest in irrigation channels and drainage ditches.
The inflorescence is oblong panicle with a number of short spikes that are solitary or sometimes in pairs and arranged along one side of the central rachis.

5. Brachiaria dictyoneura

A densely tufted, semi-erect, stoloniferous, perennial with short rhizomes with stems 40-120cm high; stolons slender but strong of reddish color.
Leaf linear to lanceolate, 4-40cm x 3-18mm glabrous with strongly clenticulate margins.
Inflorence consisting of 3-8 racemes on an axis 5-25 long, racemes 1-8cm long, hearing spikelets in two rows.

6. Pennisetun clandestinum ( Kikiyu grass)

Vigorous aggressive grass suited to high rainfall, fertile hill country areas.
Withstand close grazing, trampling and relatively long period of dry weather.
Kikiyu is a perennial spreading by numerous long rhizomes and stolons
Have short internodes and roots readily at the nodes.
Very palatable and nutritious ( CP content 20-24%)
Low dry matter content and energy protein imbalance limits its use in feeding to livestock
Leaf sheaths are closely overlapping.
Propagation usually by vegetative materials
Inflorescence is very small, consisting of a spike of only 2-4 spikelet's.

7. Digitaria decumbens ( pangola grass)

A densely tufted but strongly stoloniferous creeping perennial grass adapted a wide a wide range of soil; can withstand heavy grazing and some degree water logging and shade.
Invade the surrounding area quickly to form a dense cover.
Palatable and digestible.
CP 9-12 %
Average dry matter yield 10,500 kg/ha/yr.
Mixes well with legumes
Propagation is by stolon cutting
They often root from the lower nodes which usually have a distinct purple blotch.

8.Setaria sphacelata ( setaria)

Vigorous highly productive grass with stem up to 1.8 m height.
Erect, tufted; can be used mixed with legumes
Can be grazed or cut and fed.
Annual dry matter yield 33,000kg/ ha.
CP content 10-12%
Have a high digestibility.
Two varieties – Nandi – oxalic content 4% - Kazungala –oxalic acid content 4%
CV. Kazungala differs from cv. Nandi in being a more robust and coarser from in Kazungala
Propagated from cutting.

9. Melinis minutiflorus ( Molasses grass)

A tufted leafy perennial with loose struggling or trailing stem which may root from lower nodes.
Creeping stems with roots at nodes.
The leaves are flat, short and board tapering to a fine point usually flushed purple or redbrowand pubescent.
Leaves may give off a strong cumin or molassess scent.
Combines well with tropical legumes, is palatable to stock but will not stand serve grazing.
Propagated mainly by seeds
Seeding rate 2-5 kg/ha.

10. Paspalum notaturm

Tufted perennial with thick rhizomes;
Plants up to 75cm take sheaths usually glabrous or with a few hairs on the margins at the summit; ligulo 0.5mm long with fringe of short hairs behind it; blades up to 40cm long and 10mm board, ascrding to drooping glabrous or with some scattered hairs on the upper surface.
Inflorecence usually of 3 racemes, terminal, green, paired or in 3.5 densely best with spikelets on one side

11. Paspalum plicatum

Summer growing frost susceptible. It combines excellently with a wide range of legumes to from a stable pasture.
Tufted perennial up to 1.2m high. Leaves usually about 40cm long. But may grow to 85cm long, 10-15mm wide, folded at the base, cv. Rodds Bay is hairy on the upper surface at base near the margins, glabrous towards the tops. cv. Hartley is glabrous except in seedling stage , when they are covered with short soft hairs. Leaf sheaths usually glabrous although cv. Rodds Bay may have a few hairs the summit

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Fodders & Legumes of Sri Lanka that would be our next post. Keep in touch

Animal Science

noreply@blogger.com (Muhammed Hisham) — Thu, 17 Jul 2014 20:33:00 +0000

Animal Science is described as "studying the biology of animals that are under the control of mankind". Historically, the animals studied were farm animals, including livestock and horses, but courses available now look at a far broader area to include companion animals, for example dogs, cats and
exotic species.

Here for the Ease of Students, We've divided the topic into several small units, Hope this would be useful for everyone.

Note : Click on the Specific Link to View more Content

Ambul ambiliya

noreply@blogger.com (Muhammed Hisham) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 21:26:00 +0000

Common name	Ambul ambiliya
Family	Oxalidaceae
Botanical Name	Oxalis corniculata
Life Cycle	Perannial
Morphological Characters	Stem - Thin, cylindrical, creep grow along the slightly wet soil surfaces. Tender creeps are light green in color while matures are reddish brown. Roots - fibrous roots . Leaves - are quadra foliate. Leaflet is nearly heart shaped. Light green in color. Flowers: The yellow flowers which are approximately 6mm in diameter have five petals and number 1-6 per stem. This plant flowers most of the year. Seeds - are about 1-1.3mm long and 1mm wide. Seeds are readily spread by soil and water movement.
Propagation	By Stolons.
Agricultural Importance	May invade lawns and displace desirable grasses. May cause oxalate poisoning in livestock if eaten.
Uses	Medicinal value.
Method of Control	Hand weeding and mechanical weeding

Aruwadai