Indication
Recommended for soils of medium to low fertility, for direct grazing by animals, also suitable for making silage and hay, for cattle rearing, fattening, and milk production. We recommend that recently weaned calves not be placed to consume this pasture, as depending on the region it may present problems of photosensitization. Susceptible to attack by pasture spittlebugs.
Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk
Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk
Medium to low fertility
Direct grazing or haymaking
8 to 12 t/ha/year of dry matter (DM)
6 to 10%
0.60 to 1.00m
Good
Good
High
Susceptible
Medium
Perennial
Agronomic Characteristics
It is a forage plant adapted to sandy, acidic soils, and even those with low fertility. It shows rapid regrowth after grazing. Decumbens is susceptible to pasture spittlebugs. In regions and areas infested by the fungus Phytomices chartarum, it can cause blight or photosensitization through grazing on decumbens, especially in younger animals (calves).
Use and Management
A decumbens is a forage recommended for soils of medium to low fertility, well-drained, in more arid climates. It can also be used in areas with higher slopes as it can provide good ground cover. It is recommended for direct grazing by animals, also suitable for making silage and hay for cattle rearing, fattening, and milk production. It has a good distribution of forage production throughout the year. Therefore, it can be used in extensive grazing areas. Consumption of this pasture by recently weaned calves should be avoided, as depending on the region it may present problems of photosensitization, due to the action of the fungus Phytomices chartarum. With proper management, avoiding the accumulation of dead leaves by increasing grazing intensity, we can prevent or reduce the intensity of the disease. In weaned calves, due to the stress of weaning associated with the age of the animal, there is a predisposition to the onset of photosensitization. In this case, we recommend removing the animals from decumbens, placing them in shaded areas with other forage species, and using desensitizers to aid in the recovery of these animals. Decumbens, as a species susceptible to spittlebugs, should not be established in regions with a history of this insect.
Origin
This is the most well-known cultivar of forage grass within the Brachiaria genus and one of the most widely used worldwide. This cultivar originates from seeds (CPI 1694) introduced from Australia, obtained from the Department of Agriculture of Uganda, in 1930. It was commercially released in Australia in 1973. Originating from the Great Lakes plateau in Uganda, it was introduced to Brazil by the former IPEAN (Institute of Agricultural and Livestock Research of the North - now EMBRAPA).
Morphological Characteristics
Decumbent grass species, densely foliated, forming a dense turf up to 100 cm tall. Leaves are very pubescent, and racemose inflorescences contain racemes with double rows of also pubescent seeds, zigzagging rachillae, and thin. The plants are robust, geniculate at some lower nodes, and with few roots. The rhizomes appear as small nodules and emit a large quantity of stolons, well-rooted and with protected growth points (rhizomes and axillary buds).
