Analysis Of Mulato II
In 1970, Mulato II, a tropical warm-season hybrid grass, was first introduced in Africa (Sendulsky, 1978 as cited by Vendramini et. al. 2004). Aside from Napier grass the species of Brachiara sp. became the most commonly grown grasses since it has the ability to survive in low fertile soil, and highly resistant to drought (CIAT, 2007).
Mulato was semi-erect grass that can grow 9 ft. in height, averagely. Its stem is cylindrical while the roots have nodes which can serve as an element for propagation (CIAT, 2007). The leaves of Mulato II can grow up to 25 inches in length and width up to 1.5 inches. Mulato II grows well in 1800 meters above sea level under some humid and sub-humid areas. In humid tropics, the grass requires high amount of …show more content…
There is an increase of 2.2 tons per hectare in the DM yield of the Mulato II when nitrogen (3.1 tons per hectare) is applied to the field (CIAT, 2007). Therefore, the application of fertilizer is suggested if the farmer wants to increase the quality of the forage.
Several comparative studies were conducted about the efficiency of Mulato as forage feed for cattle. For example, a study in Thailand concluded that Mulato II has the highest DM yield than the cultivar Cayman ang BRO2/1794 since it produces higher percentage of leaf than the stem (Hare et. al., 2013). The ability of Mulato II grass to produce more green leaves even in dry period makes it attractive to the farmers in Thailand.
Although Mulato II is a tropical C4 plant which means it has relatively lower digestibility compared to other plants, it has comparably higher feeding value than C3 plants particularly rice straw. Using in situ trials, Senget. al. (2010) concluded that, Mulato II is efficient forage since it contains higher soluble protein and other nutritional components. Also, diets with 100% Mulato II had greater organic matter digestibility than feeds with 70% rice straw and 30% Mulato
Mulato was semi-erect grass that can grow 9 ft. in height, averagely. Its stem is cylindrical while the roots have nodes which can serve as an element for propagation (CIAT, 2007). The leaves of Mulato II can grow up to 25 inches in length and width up to 1.5 inches. Mulato II grows well in 1800 meters above sea level under some humid and sub-humid areas. In humid tropics, the grass requires high amount of …show more content…
There is an increase of 2.2 tons per hectare in the DM yield of the Mulato II when nitrogen (3.1 tons per hectare) is applied to the field (CIAT, 2007). Therefore, the application of fertilizer is suggested if the farmer wants to increase the quality of the forage.
Several comparative studies were conducted about the efficiency of Mulato as forage feed for cattle. For example, a study in Thailand concluded that Mulato II has the highest DM yield than the cultivar Cayman ang BRO2/1794 since it produces higher percentage of leaf than the stem (Hare et. al., 2013). The ability of Mulato II grass to produce more green leaves even in dry period makes it attractive to the farmers in Thailand.
Although Mulato II is a tropical C4 plant which means it has relatively lower digestibility compared to other plants, it has comparably higher feeding value than C3 plants particularly rice straw. Using in situ trials, Senget. al. (2010) concluded that, Mulato II is efficient forage since it contains higher soluble protein and other nutritional components. Also, diets with 100% Mulato II had greater organic matter digestibility than feeds with 70% rice straw and 30% Mulato