Brachiaria mutica

Cultivation Details

Brachiaria mutia is a plant of the warm, moist tropics, usually at low elevations^[1]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 30°c, but can tolerate 15 - 46°c^[2]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 900 - 4,100mm^[2].It prefers to grow in flat, poorly drained, seasonal floodplains or high rainfall environments (tolerating a mean annual rainfall from 870 - 4,100mm) in tropical and subtropical regions of the world^[3]. It is also adapted to high temperatures (20 - 35°c), but growth is restricted by temperatures below 15°c^[3]. Prefers a position in full sun, tolerating light shade. The plant grows best in poorly drained (swampy or periodically waterlogged) soils and other wet sites, also succeeding in well-drained soils in areas of high rainfall. It can grow in water up to 120cm deep in the tropics^[4]. It is well adapted to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay, preferring soils of medium to high fertility^[1]. It is tolerant of moderate salinity, a low pH down to 4.5 and the high levels of trace elements normally produced under water-logged conditions^[3]. Plants are probably tolerant of maritime exposure^{[1, 5]}. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.3 - 7.7^[2]. Brachiaria mutica is a fast-growing perennial grass, capable of forming very dense infestations that smother riverbanks, wetlands, and floodplain vegetation, and also floating out over the water surface which reduces areas available for waterfowl and water-birds. It is widely naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions of the world where it was originally introduced as a fodder grass. Now, this species is considered one of the world’s worst weeds in areas such as the United States, Australia, Mexico, and Central America. It has been intentionally introduced as a pasture grass because its ability to establish on poorly drained (swampy or seasonally waterlogged) soils as well on free-draining soils in high rainfall environments. It competes aggressively with other plants, with fast growth, high productivity, and allelopathic abilities that allow it to form dense stands^[3]. The plant can become a weed in irrigation ditches and drains^[1]. The plant is a short-day species that flowers most prolifically in humid tropical environments at latitudes from 10 - 20° north and south. Little or no flowering takes place at subtropical latitudes^[3].