Palatability Tests on Giant Pangola grass (Digitaria valida Stent) and Signal grass (Brachiaria brizantha) as compared with Napier (Merker) grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

Abstract

Signal grass (Brachiaria brizantha) and Giant Pangola (Digitaria valida Stent) were introduced into Puerto Rico by the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1957, from Ceylon and Cuba, respectively. Field observations and unpublished data on yields indicate good forage possibilities for these grasses for the Island. Both were submitted to a palatability test and compared with Napier grass, (Pennisetum purpureum), which is one of our most palatable forage grasses, using a 3 x 3 Latin-square design. The two grasses are as palatable as and contain more dry matter per pound of green forage than Napier grass. Both grasses are under grazing trials and must be submitted to more field observations before final recommendations are given to the farmers.