Pangola grass as forage for ruminant animals: a review

Abstract

This review focuses on the introduction and investigation of pangola grass as a tropical forage species especially in Thailand. Pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha Steud., synonym D. decumbens) is one of recent examples of grasses that have been successfully introduced to Southeast Asia and is often considered as one of the highest quality tropical grasses popularly grown as pasture. Pangola grass is utilized extensively as grass for animal grazing, hay and silage making. Its crude protein content is commonly in the order of 5 to 14% of dry matter and may exceed 15% of dry matter with young regrowth under high fertilization. It has been documented that the type and number of ruminants receiving pangola grass can determine the success of its use. Results obtained when pangola grass in fresh, hay or silage form was fed to ruminant animals as supplements showed better performances in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield, meat quality, and milk yield and composition. In conclusion, pangola grass is a promising forage and a source of high quality feed for ruminant animals in tropical countries.

In vitro gas production, in vivo nutrient digestibilities, and metabolisable energy concentrations for sheep of fresh and conserved pangola grass

“…Pangola grass has been used as a ruminant feed for a long time (review by Tikam et al, 2013), however, evaluation of pangola grass in different forms (fresh, hay, or silage) at the same cutting age and harvested at the same location has not yet been investigated. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate in vitro gas production and in vivo nutrient digestibilities, and metabolisable energy (ME) values for sheep of pangola and Napier grasses (Pennisetum purpureum) harvested at the same regrowth age (45 days).…”

In vitro gas production and in vivo nutrient digestibility and growth performance of Thai indigenous cattle fed fresh and conserved pangola grass

“…Chemical characteristics of fresh pangola indicated a good forage quality when compared with previous reports (see review by Tikam et al 2013) where CP measured in nine different studies ranged from 5.3 to 12.0% of DM. All forms of pangola ranked higher in CP concentrations than Ruzi grass.…”

“…The ADG of the White Lamphun native bulls were normal and in agreement with Mikled et al (1991) who raised White Lamphun bulls under feedlot conditions and concentrate supplementation of 1.0 and 1.5% of BW with an ADG of 490 g. However, between treatments, there were differences in BW gain and ADG (p < .05), with cattle fed forms of pangola having higher (p < .05) values than the Ruzi treatment which can be explained by higher ME and CP concentrations. As summarised by Tikam et al (2013) only few authors studied effects of pangola on growth of ruminants, and especially of cattle, which impedes comparison of the presented data. Highest ADG for Holstein steers fed pangola grass were observed by Hsieh (1990) using four tropical grasses (Pangola, Guinea, dwarf elephant and South African pigeon grass).…”

“…It is recommended for the poorly drained soils in Malaysia and the Philippines (Hacker 1992) and is utilised extensively for animal grazing, hay or silage making (Meeske et al 1999). Pangola grass has already been used as animal feed for a long time (see review by Tikam et al 2013) and has shown its potential as nutrient source for sheep in both fresh and preserved forms (Tikam et al 2015). However, evaluation of pangola grass, grown under identical conditions at the same location, harvested at the same regrowth age and then utilised in fresh and conserved (hay, silage) forms in cattle has not yet been investigated.…”

Management characteristics of beef cattle production in Hawaii

“…Guinea, kikuyu, and pangola grasses are usually found at the lower elevations, having originated from tropical Africa (CTAHR, 2001). Pangola and guinea grasses are also known as highly digestible forages of relatively high yields (Duke, 1983;Aganga and Tshwenyane, 2004;ILRI, 2013;Tikam et al, 2013). More than one forage type was used by 89% of respondents, and on the average, each ranch reported 6 forage species.…”