Use of vetiveria grass as forage crop

Study of using Vetiveria grass as forage crop has been studied about varieties in the Mae Pha Lauang Plantation Project at Tum Bon Nong Plub, Hau Hin district, Prachuab Kirikun province in May 1997-April 2000. The study was devided into 3 experiments. (1) Study about variety trails palatability for animal. (2) Effect of cutting height one yields and chemical composition of Vetiveria grass (3) Effect of cutting interval on yields and chemical composition of Vetiveria grass. The experiment was elementary studied about variety trials and palatability for animal by using 2 years old of 17 varieties of Vetiveria grass which were Kumpangsan, Nakornsawan, Rachaburi, Prachuabkirikun, Huay Kha Khaeng, Ayudthaya, Kumpangpetch 2, Song Kla 3, Suratthani, Srilangka, Kou tou, Prarachatan, Pathalung, Prae, India and Mae La Noi. The result was showed that Rachaburi and Prachuabkirikun variety gave similar on dry matter yield and palatability for animal which was 1,518 k and 1,247 respectively. Therefore the management study of Prachuabkirikun variety has been conducted. The study was divided into 2 experiments which are the effect of cutting height and effect of cutting intervals. The experiment were conducted in 5 years old Vetiveria grass field crop which was planted to protect soil erosion in Randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The results of the experiment was found that the suitable cutting height was 40 cm, which fresh yield and dry matter yield were 11.5 and 3.8 kg/5 m row/year respectively, which was higher than 30 and 50 cm cutting height (P LT 0.05). The suitable cutting interval was 6 weeks which gave fresh yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield 15.09, 5.49 and 0.41 kg/5 m row/year respective, which was higher than 2, 4, 8 weeks cutting interval. At 6 weeks cutting interval, Vetiveria grass had ADF and NDF 43.9 percent and 77.2 percent respectively, which was lower than 2, 4 weeks cutting interval. There was no significant difference in protein content between 6 weeks cutting interval (7.5 percent) and 4, 8 weeks cutting interval (7.9, 7.7 percent). The cutting height of Veteveria grass did not effect to the variation of chemical compositions in Prachuabkirikun variety.