Root Studies on some Selected Grasses in Eastern Nepal

Abstract

An investigation was made into the effect of different intervals of cutting on the root weight, soil binding capacity and yield of some selected exotic and indigenous grases in the Bhabar area of Eastern Nepal. Imperala cylindrica, an indigenous grass of the locality produced highest root weight and soil binding factor as compared to other grasses, viz., Cymbopogon spp. (indigenous) and Brachiaria mulica and Cynodon pleclostachyus (exotic species ). Imperala cylindrica produced 3,620 kg of root weight in surface 75 cm soil layer, in the second year and 4,754 kg in the third year at the same depth. Frequent cutting of grasses had deteriorating effect on root weight, soil binding factor and yield. As regards yield of various grass species, it is seen that under natural conditions, without application of artificial fertilizers, the yield of exotic species decreases with age, whereas with indigenous species it remains steady and in some cases also showed tendency to increase under similar growth conditions.