Broom Grass (Thysanolaena maxima):

• It is perennial found in sandy slopes in forest.
• It is called Amliso in Eastern Nepal and Amriso in Western Nepal.
• It is also known as ‘Tiger Grass”.

Climate and altitude:

• It can be found in Hilly Region of Nepal
• It can be grown in 500-2000m asl and can be grown upto 2500m asl.
• Annual rainfall should be 500 mm for better production.

Soil Type:

• Sandy loam soil is suitable for its best production.
• However, it can also grow in steep slopes, barren land that cannot be used as agricultural production.

Nursery preparation for seedling:

• Suitable measurement of nursery is 2×1 m.
• Once, nursery bed is ready, seed at rate of 5-10gm is sown in bed as uniform as possible.
• After sowing, seed bed is covered with small layer of land and then covered by tree branches.
• Seeds start to germinate after 2-3 weeks of sowing. Leaves are then removed after germination of seed.
• Water spraying and regular weeding is done to get healthy seedlings.
• After 4-6 weeks, seedlings are transplanted in main field.
• In Nepal, it is usually transplanted using rhizomes.

Seed rate:

• 2 kg/ha
• In case of rhizomes, 2-3 rhizomes are planted in polythene bag containing mixture of sand and organic fertilizer at rate of 1:2:1.
• After 2 months, they become ready to transplant in main field.

Sowing season:

• Jestha-Shrawan, at start of rainfall

Method of sowing:

• Field before transplantation of seedlings or rhizomes are cleaned and made free from leaves
• About 30m³ pit is dug 1 month before plantation.
• In plain land, distance between plant should be 2.5 m and row-row should be 2.5m.
• 1600 seedlings can be transplanted in one-hectare land
• In case of slopy areas, distance between plant is 1.5 m and row-row distance should be 2 m. In slopy areas, 2500-4000 seedlings can be planted.
• Before sowing, compost manure is mixed with 10gm 10S BGVC powder is added in pit and seedling are transplanted.
• 3 weeding should be done in a year. For better production, at time of second weeding, compost manure should also be added.

Harvesting time:

• After maturity of crop after 6 months of sowing, they are harvested.
• Harvesting usually done at cold season; Poush- Magh, Falgun or Chaitra.
• They are cut 20 cm above ground level for wood/fuel.
• After 2^nd year, at end of monsoon, leaves are harvested for fodder.

Production:

• Production is very low at 1^st year and 5^th
• More production can be obtained at 3^rd

• Green fodder yield: 40-60 ton/ha

Nutrient content of Broom Grass: