ABSTRACT
The main source of feed for the cattle in Kerala, India, is from 20,000 hectares of natural grassland spread at different altitudes. Soil is lateritic and acidic. The annual precipitation is around 250 cm spread from June to November. The common native species found in these grasslands are Ishaemum indicum, Heteropogon contortus, Arundinella mesophylla, Chroysopogon asper, Bothriochola kuntzeana, Eragrostis sp., Themeda Traindra and Themeda tremula. They are low in yields and poor in quality.
During the dry periods, 6 to 7 months, acute shortage of dry matter was observed from the pastures. Since 1963, efforts were made to explore the possibilities of extending the production period to the drier months by selecting and introducing drought resistant varieties.
The reasons for selecting pasture species were to prolong dry matter (DM) production upto the dry months, promote regrowth with pre-monsoon showers and extend the grazing period.
The DM yield of the drought resistant pasture species selected, ranges from 15 to 30t/ha/yr for grasses and 5 to 15t/ha/yr.
The introduction of high yielding drought resistant varieties enhanced the dry matter production and prolonged the availability of fodder. Signal grass, guinea grass and buffel grass gave better DM production during the pre-monsoon and post monsoon periods. These drought resistant varieties of forage crops were incorporated into the existing cropping system in Kerala, India where drought is frequent and lasts for longer periods. This had contributed greatly in prolonging the availability of quality fodder.
