Splendida Grass

Common name: Nandi grass, Broadleaf setaria, Splendida setaria, Giant setaria, Golden Timothy, Pigeon grass, Solender, Kazungula, Narok

Scientific Name: Setaria sphacelata

Physical Characteristics

Splendida is a bunch-type grass that grows to a considerable height. A sturdy perennial grass for fodder, Splendida has broad, 14 mm-wide leaves and flowers when it is 2 to 3 meters high. Splenda's early growth is leafy, with broad, highly flattened tillers; the leaf sheaths frequently overlap in a fan form and are primarily reddish near the base. Strong and rounded at the base are the culms. Grey-green, blade-shaped leaves that can grow up to 80 cm long and 2 cm wide turn crimson in dry weather. A spike-like panicle that is between 10 and 50 cm long is called a flowering plant.

Production and availability

The giant Setaria (Setaria sphacelata (Schum.) Stapf & Hubb var. splendida (Stapf)) is a tall tropical grass widespread in the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Australia, and Asia. It is highly palatable and used for pasture and cut-and-carry. The grass also is ideal for green fodder, silage and hay.

It grows well at high temperatures and can withstand drought conditions for a fairly long time. It is shade-tolerant. Although it is a species that grows on nearly all soil types and fertility levels, well-drained clay loam soils are ideal for this plant. It is a long-duration crop; hence, periodical tillage activities like other crops are not possible after the crop occupies the field.

Splendida is a perennial grass. Once grass is planted on any land, it is available for up to 7 years. By cultivating this grass, it is possible to supply a farm with green grass throughout the year. The leaves of this grass are broad, and the stems are soft. However, the number of nodes in its stem is low. This grass has more leaves than stems. Apart from being fed as green grass, this grass can be stored as silage or hay.

Splendida grass can be cultivated at any time of the year, but the best time is March–April. The land should be prepared by cultivating it well. This grass grows in all types of soil, including waterlogged, saline, and hill slopes.

Cultivation of this grass requires 35-40 thousand motha or cuttings per hectare. Distance from line to line and cutting to cutting is 70 and 35 cm respectively. During land preparation, 50 kg of urea, 70 kg of TSP, and 30 kg of MP should be applied per hectare of land. 50 kg of urea per hectare after 1 month of planting grass. 50 kg of urea per hectare after each cutting. After planting grass, the grass should be cut after 60–65 days. Later in summer, after 30-35 days, in winter, after 35-40 days should cut. To encourage rapid regeneration from basal buds, mow at a height of 10-15 cm when mowing. Splendida grass is cut 6-7 times in the first year and 7–8 times in subsequent years. Fresh Splendida grass yields 100–130 tons of biomass per hectare.