ECOLOGY AND POTENTIALS OF MARVEL GRASS

摘要

Marvel grass (Dichanthium annulatum (Forsk.) Stapf is a highly preferred forage grass in India. Its distribution in nature is wide throughout the plains and hills upto 1500m above MSL. The marvel grass is well researched from various angles. An attempt has been made here to scan through the diffused literature and present the state of knowledge in a synoptic and systematic manner. The available information relates to environmental adaptation, germination and establishment, root growth, top growth theyield, palatability and chemical composition, feeding value, compatability with legumes and tree, response to fertilizers, response to grazing and burning, role in soil conservation, plant protectio n aspects and economic viability. At the end missing links and future line of research have also been pointed out.