Elephant Grass Cultivation

Elephant Grass Cultivation
Planting Method
Elephant grass planting done by the method of vegetative propagation. A common way is by stem cuttings applied and breaking puppies. The first way allows propagation faster, but a little bit slower growth compared with chicks or pols way. The usual way of planting we do is as follows:
1. Processing Area
Elephant grass planting process begins in the land management by performing the clearing of weeds, separating the seeds can still be used to then do the reversal of the land as well as the manufacture and reconditioning strain re-planting.
2. Fertilizer Basics and Planting
After doing land preparation, followed by basic fertilization using manure (cow manure) approximately 3 tons (± 1 ton / ha), followed by the planting of land mengguludkan.
Then the method of planting stem cuttings. For a clump planted at least 3 rods, each rod is composed of at least three sections. We are seeking 2 segment buried in the ground.
Planting grass in Central Tegal, Cijayana - 1

Planting grass in Central Tegal, Cijayana (1).
Planting grass in Central Tegal, Cijayana - 2

Planting grass in Central Tegal, Cijayana (2).
3. Fertilization Second
Fertilization both performed 2 weeks after planting using NPK fertilizer (16:16:16) at a dose of 60 kg / ha. Fertilization is usually accompanied by two penyaueran (heap soil and weeds to raise mounds).
4. Fertilization Advanced
Chemical fertilizer is then performed on the upcoming rainy season. For further expected fertilization enough to use 2 times as much manure per year, one time in the rainy season, and the first time in the dry season.
5. Maintenance
Maintenance in the first year can be detailed as fertilization and weeding / cleaning weeds as follows (on a 3.2 acres of land):
Fertilization
Manure 3 days x 4 people x 2 times per year = 24 Day of Work (HOK)
Chemical fertilizer 1 day x 4 people x 1 time per year = 4 HOK
Weeding
3 days x 4 people x 2 times per year = 24 HOK
So the total maintenance in the first year is 52 HOK
While in the second year and thereafter as expected had no use of chemical fertilizers so that it takes only 48 HO
Cropping patterns
Cropping patterns using a variety of methods. There is a method that uses the hall poly (alley cropping) between plants, there is also using monoculture system / single.
In pattern aisle, elephant grass planted with crops between corn (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) or peanut (Arachis hypogaea) using a range of ± 50 cm in row spacing between rows and ± 250 cm (50 x 250 cm ).
Planting grass aisle pattern (Alley Cropping)

Planting grass aisle pattern (Alley Cropping)
Projected number of rows can reach about 100 lines, where each line can achieve an average 259 clumps, bringing the total in the area able to accommodate as many as 25,900 clump clump.
But the reality on the ground after clump counting, effectively embedded clumps only 9686 (37%) so that the average spread of clumps per hectare grove was only reached in 2866 (a total of 121 lines x ± 80 clumps) with a total effective area of ​​grass planted only 8,100 m2. This condition is caused by the effective area of ​​arable crops is reduced due to the sidelines in addition, also due to a variety of unfavorable field conditions and can not be planted, such as the puddle / swamp, rocky soil, as well as the presence of ponds and tubs of land has been planted with a legume type Gamal ( Gliricidia sepium) and other plants.
While the cropping pattern suggested by BIB Lembang performed using monoculture and more tightly. This is certainly related to optimal treatment and care needs to be given. Spacing in rows about 70-100cm and the distance between rows of 70-100cm.
Planting grass in monoculture in BIB Lembang

Planting grass in monoculture in BIB Lembang.
Harvesting
In the rainy season in general has been the elephant grass can be harvested at the age of 40-45 days. While in the dry season ranged 50-55 days. Over that time, the nutrient content is getting increasingly hard rod down and so the material is wasted (not eaten by cattle) more and more.
While the first harvest after planting, according to our experience can be done after at least 60 days old grass. If too early, sprouted then not as good as in harvest over the age of 2 months.
Harvesting in the rainy season (age about 40 daily)

Harvesting in the rainy season (age about 40 daily).
Conclusion While
Bulrush is a plant that is good enough to forage needs, whether viewed from the level of growth, productivity and yields of nutrients (especially fiber) contained therein.
Other than that, other than as a fresh forage, surplus production of elephant grass can also be used as a backup in the form of dry feed (hays) or by the method of silage fermentation after the first in the mince.
One thing to note is the value of the investment and operating costs are high elephant grass.
This is due to the cost if the land, planting, fertilizing, maintenance and harvesting grass is quite expensive without coupled with the economic value of elephant grass.
As is known, the current elephant grass has not been considered as economic commodities commonly traded in perjual. Especially in the rainy season. In the dry season, in some centers cattle (especially dairy cows) grass is starting to have economic value.
But it still will be different with the economic value that could be obtained if the land is planted with a variety of productive plants both seasonal and perennials.
Operations will be higher when planting grass land located away from the cage, so it will raise wages and freight charges to be paid for the maintenance and harvesting.
Some solutions (which are not practically everything can be done) is:
1. Planting grass should be done in the area near and around the cage so it can be easily reached by children cages / breeder but it also can be easily (and cheaply) fertilizer (from manure).
2. Increase protein production for the needs of livestock per area planting areas. As is known, especially nutrients protein elephant grass is not too good. How can the elephant grass combine with high-protein plants Leguminosae shrubs like Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), Kaliandra (Calliandra calothrysus) and Gamal (Gliricidia sepium). Or with legumes such as beans vines Sentro (Centrosema pubescens), KembangTelang (Clitoria ternatea), and Nuts spokes (Pueraria phaseoloides). Aside from being a source of nitrogen fixation and soil fertility, as well as a very useful additional feed for livestock.
Gamal, a good combination of plants

Gamal, a good combination of plants.
3. Improving the economic value of the land by planting grass to the method of the hallway on the ground is relatively flat and contoured methods sengked on sloping ground.
Plants should sidelines that have high economic value, such as types of crops such as maize (Zea mays), Peanut (Arachis hypogaea), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, Sorghum vulgare).
Can also be combined with perennials such as Sengon (Albizzia falcata), Suren (Toona sureni) and so adapted to the capacity and character of the land.
4. Presumably It is necessary in thinking more about the elephant grass production methods, either planting, maintenance and harvesting more efficient and useful.
5. We also tried direct grazing elephant grass in the garden, our initial hypothesis, direct grazing on pasture can reduce energy harvesting elephant :).
As a result, we still need to expend extra energy to exercise control and supervision of livestock, to keep the grass is not over-graze (eat excessively) that disrupt growth. And especially, do not withstand trampling elephant grass and over-grazing conditions :).