Comparison of Giant Pangola, Signal Grass, and Common Pangola as Pasture Crops in the Mountain Region of Puerto Rico

Abstract

Signal grass (Brachiaria brizantha) and Giant Pangola (Digitaria valida) were submitted to a grazing trial to evaluate them as grazing grasses, as compared with Common Pangola (Digitaria decumbens). The test was carried on for 613 consecutive days in the Mountainous Region of Puerto Rico. A randomized block design was used with four replications of each treatment. Two groups of heifers of the Holstein breed from 10 to 12 months old were used. The first group was used from March to December 1964, and the second from December 1964 to December 1965. No significant difference was found between Signal grass and Common Pangola in TDN yield per acre and carrying capacity; both were significantly superior to Giant Pangola. Signal grass is recommended favorably as a grass that can be substituted for Common Pangola in Puerto Rico, and also for Guinea grass. Giant Pangola is not recommended, although it equals the other two in nutritive value. The reasons for this are discussed in the text.