Baksha Grass

Common names:  Baksha grass, Limpo grass; Halt grass, Red Vlei Grass, Batavian quick grass, Couch grass, Swamp couch grass, Red swamp grass

Scientific Name: Hemarthria altissima 

Feed categories: Pasture land, Silage, Hay and Cut-carry

Physical characteristics

Hemarthria altissima, commonly known as baksha or limpo grass, has long, spreading stolons that grow from the lower nodes and produce a dense mat. The culms can grow to a height of 30 to 150 cm, usually starting off decumbent before climbing. They typically have branches and bear blade-shaped, folded, green, smooth, glabrous leaves. The leaf blades twist in a corkscrew pattern once they have dried. Racemes are 2-3 mm broad, 5–12 cm long, and resemble spikes. Hemarthria altissima is mostly propagated by cuttings placed in moist soils; however, it yields few seeds. Once planted, it spreads easily via culms that root at the lower nodes and creeping rhizomes (Ecocrop, 2011; FAO, 2011; Cook et al., 2005).

Production / Availability:

Limpo grass (Hemarthria altissima) or Baksha grass originated in tropical Africa and is now found in most tropical and subtropical wetlands, along river banks, seasonally flooded areas, swamps, and lakes (Ecocrop, 2011; Cook et al., 2005). It has been shown in Southern Asia (India and Bangladesh) and Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam). It grows in soils of any texture, provided the moisture is adequate. Limpo grass is a perennial creeping grass that generally has a distinctive rust-red color during the dry season. It tolerates acidic soils down to pH 4.5 but is best between 5.5 and 6.5 (Newman et al., 2009). It can withstand short, seasonal dry periods but does not tolerate long droughts (Ecocrop, 2011). The average annual temperature is 16–27 ºC. The optimum temperature for growth is 31–35 °C, with growth declining rapidly above 38 °C (Henriques et al., 2007).

Limpo grass (Hemarthria altissima ) is the commonly grown grass in Bangladesh where it is known as Baksha grass. It is the most persistent undergrazing and is best adapted to wet soils. It is a perennial grass that grows well in damp soils and is used as a pasture crop by animals to make hay, silage, or cut and carry.

Baksha is a native grass. If this grass is sown once, it will yield for 7-8 years. There are different types of Baksha grass across the country. Among them, Munshiganj has the highest yield of Baksha. Also, it is found in the Savar area of Dhaka district, Chauhali of Natore, Sunamganj, Takerhat, Baghabari, and Sirajganj basins, with surrounding areas of Milk Vita and Haor area of Netrokona.

Many areas in Bangladesh are single crop loam or sandy loam land, submerged in monsoon for about 5-6 months a year and with abundant siltation, such land is suitable for Baksha cultivation. In addition, Baksha grass can be cultivated in low and damp land where other crops are less. The point is that this grass is found in almost all types of land.

In the conventional method, if there is any water left over after the floodwaters in the month of Kartik-Agrahayana recede, the land should be cleaned of weeds, laid out over muddy ground, and covered with feet. Because of the soft alluvial soil in this area, there is no need to cultivate the land. This method is called zero tillage.

In the case of Baksha cultivation in an improved system, 7–10 cm of water on the land in September to October (Ashwin-Kartik) has to be cultivated. 30 kg of phosphate (TSP) and 30 kg of potash (MP) fertilizer per acre during final land preparation gives good results. But in those places where the soil fertility is low, dung manure gives good results. Baksha is not traditionally cultivated from seeds like grains are. There are two main methods for sowing the grass. Firstly, mutha is sown, and then cuttings are taken from the stem of Baksha grass. Every blossom sprouts as a seed from the leftover root after the grass is mowed. This way of planting the Baksha encourages the growth of buds and grass on nearly every face. When seeding or taking cuttings from stems, the grass needs to be ripe because cuttings from young grasses have a higher chance of dying. Therefore, cuttings of 20–25 cm in length are usually made from mature stems. It should be noted that there should be at least two knots in a cutting. About 2000 cuttings should be sprinkled per acre. Cuttings can be planted in rows or scattered without rows. While sprinkling the cuttings, it should be observed that the distance between each cutting is 15–25 cm. If planted in rows, plant-to-plant spacing is 15 to 25 cm, and row-to-row spacing is 25 to 30 cm. After sprinkling, one end of the cuttings should be buried under 1.0–2.5 cm of mud.

Baksha grass doesn't need to be taken extra care of. Buds begin to emerge from the cuttings, or mutha, ten to twelve days after they are planted. It is recommended to apply 30 kg of urea fertilizer per acre just after the buds reach a height of 10–15 cm. If the ground becomes dry, irrigation should be carried out if needed. Weed removal increases yield.

Baksha grass is generally suitable for cutting at 50–60 days after planting. At this time, the grass is approximately 1.5–2.0 meters tall. Then the grass is cut and fed to the animals. 30–40 kg of urea fertilizer per acre should be sprinkled on the land after each cutting. First cutting yields 5 tonnes of biomass yield per acre and subsequent cuttings yield 8-10 tonnes per acre. In this way, about 40-50 tons of fresh biomass is obtained from one acre of land. Baksha grass can be cut directly and fed in green conditions. Besides, the Baksha can be made with hay and silage.